Oklahoma County jail inmate, 40, found dead in cell

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma County Detention Center officials say they are investigating the death of a 40-year-old inmate who was discovered trying to kill himself in his cell.

Jail spokesman Mark Opgrande says jail staff and medical personnel tried to resuscitate Gabriel Yalartai after he was discovered early Sunday morning but were unsuccessful.

Yalartai had been booked into the detention center on Dec. 8. He was facing charges of first-degree robbery. A trust took over operation of the jail from the sheriff’s office in July 2020.

Since then, it has come under fire because of inmate deaths, escapes and other incidents.