The 28-year-old male detainee at the Doña Ana County Detention Center who was hospitalized in critical condition last Thursday after he was found unresponsive in a booking cell at the facility has recovered and is back in the jail’s medical wing.
Ernest Lucero of Las Cruces was being held on a bench warrant for failure to appear in court. He now faces additional charges.
Officers responded to his cell in the booking section of the facility at about 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, where Lucero was found unresponsive, and his skin was bluish gray in color. A medical emergency was initiated, and ambulance personnel arrived on scene shortly thereafter.
Lucero was taken to a local hospital, where he was intubated to assist with his breathing, and work was performed to stabilize his blood pressure.
During treatment, medical personnel discovered a baggie containing what is believed to be heroin packed inside Lucero’s anal cavity. The baggie is believed to have leaked an overdose of the drug into Lucero’s system.
The Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.
Information from Doña Ana County