Inmate found dead in cell, Sheriff’s Office investigating

Published 2:44 pm Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Deputies of the Carter County Sheriff’s Office are investigating an inmate death after a man was found unresponsive in his cell at the Carter County Detention Center Wednesday morning.

Rickey Joe Lee Younce, 65, was found deceased in a holding cell around 3:40 a.m. Deputy jailers immediately notified EMS and attempted life-saving measures, but they were unable to resuscitate Younce.

Younce was brought to the jail on a charge of public intoxication. Due to his level of impairment, deputies placed him in a holding cell until he became more sober. Deputy jailers made routine checks on Younce and noted that he was becoming less intoxicated over the next few hours. He was then found able to be brought out of his cell to begin the booking process, including fingerprinting and being photographed. Deputy jailers then placed him back in his cell. When they returned, Younce was found unresponsive.

Younce’s body has been sent for an autopsy and toxicology testing to determine the cause of death. Investigators do not suspect any foul play at this time.