Officials on Tuesday identified a man who died while waiting to be released from the Hamilton County Jail last week.
Deward Burton Johnson, 52, died March 14 after experiencing a medical emergency in a holding cell, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.
Johnson had been booked into the jail around 14 hours earlier on an active warrant for a burglary charge, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Court records show the charge stemmed from an April 2023 incident in which Johnson was charged with stealing less than $50 worth of trading cards.
He was taken to a local medical facility after medical personnel at the jail responded, according to the release.
The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death. The Chattanooga Times Free Press on Tuesday requested a copy of Johnson’s autopsy report.
Johnson was a resident of Ringgold, according to court records.
Burglary charge
Johnson was charged with burglary on April 9, 2023, court records show.
Police responded to the Eastgate Walmart after employees reported a man hiding things in his pocket, according to an affidavit.
Officers reportedly found Johnson near the exit of the store, where he told them he “totally forgot to pay” for items in his pocket.
He allegedly had three packs of basketball trading cards in his pockets, which were worth a total of $47.94, according to police.
Police found Johnson had been banned from a Walmart in Fort Oglethorpe previously, the affidavit said.
Officers arrested Johnson and charged him with burglary. Court records show he was released on bond a few months later.
Contact Ellen Gerst at egerst@timesfreepress.com
