Two charged in near-fatal El Paso County jail overdose

(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — Two people are facing numerous drug charges in connection to a near-fatal overdose at the El Paso County Jail in June.

According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO), on June 1, a deputy assigned at the El Paso County Jail, Deputy Klein, responded to a medical emergency and found 45-year-old Tommy Mills unresponsive. EPSO said Deputy Klein immediately began performing CPR.

After multiple doses of Narcan were administered to Mills by jail medical staff, Mills became responsive, EPSO said. He was taken to the hospital, where he informed deputies that he had willingly taken a small dose of fentanyl.

Detectives began investigating how Mills came into possession of fentanyl, and found 4.1 grams of additional fentanyl inside his cell. Detectives learned that Mills’ cellmate, 46-year-old Ryan Morgan, smuggled the fentanyl into the jail. EPSO said Morgan had been recently sentenced to the Department of Corrections (DOC), and it was believed that the drugs were intended to be sold once Morgan was taken to the DOC.

On July 2, Morgan was charged with numerous drug-related offenses, including Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Second Degree Introduction of Contraband, and Second Degree Possession of Contraband. He is currently being held in the DOC on his previous charges.

Mills was also charged with Second Degree Possession of Contraband and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance. He is being held on a $10,000 bond.

“This incident highlights the potentially deadly consequences of using Fentanyl. Without the quick and decisive actions of Deputy Klein and the medical staff at the El Paso County Jail, this individual would likely have died. This dangerous drug does not belong in the El Paso County Jail, and if you bring it into my jail, you will be held accountable,” said Sheriff Joseph Roybal.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.