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Woman facing charges related to El Paso County inmate's death due to a fentanyl overdose

El Paso County Jail
Posted at 3:31 PM, Mar 07, 2023
and last updated 2023-03-08 11:32:39-05

EL PASO COUNTY, Colorado — A woman was arrested for the alleged distribution of fentanyl that resulted in the death of an inmate at the El Paso County Jail.

27-year-old Katariina Gibson was arrested March 3 on charges of Proximate Cause of Death by Unlawful Distribution and Introducing Contraband following the death of inmate 44-year-old Renee Lowrance.

Lowrance was found unresponsive in her cell on January 20.

According to a release, Sheriff Joe Roybal requested Metro Narcotics and EPSO Criminal Intelligence Unit investigate the death of Lowrance and identify the direct supplier of fentanyl.

"As your Sheriff, it is my duty to protect the citizens of El Paso County, and I will use every means possible to do so within the scope of the law. I thank our community and law enforcement members for supporting my Office in our fight against illegal drugs in our county", said Sheriff Joe Roybal. "This is a warning to those who dare bring illegal contraband into my Jail. Those who bring drugs into the Jail will be investigated and held accountable for their actions to the extent the law allows. This represents just one area of prioritized focus for reducing Jail deaths.”

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