Update: Inmate who died Saline County jail identified

BENTON, AR – An inmate who died at the Saline County jail Wednesday night has been identified.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, 30-year-old Casey Babovec of East End, who had yet to be booked into the jail, died after getting into an altercation with another inmate.

Police say Babovec was originally arrested for a DWI on April 13, 2011 and transported to the Saline County Detention Center.

Around 5:00 p.m., Babovec reportedly began to act in a strange and agitated manner, and was placed in a holding cell where he struck another inmate.

Detention officers broke up the altercation and removed Babovec and began to subdue him. After subduing him, Babovec was placed in another holding cell, where he became unresponsive.

Officers immediately called an ambulance, began CPR, and used an AED on him. The ambulance transported Babovec to the Saline County Emergency Room, where he was pronounced dead.

Information was revealed during the investigation that Babovec had reportedly told another inmate, just prior to the altercation that he had ingested approximately 2 grams of crystal methamphetamine as he was being pulled over by the Deputy. The body is being sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the cause of death.

A criminal investigation and an internal investigation were started following the incident.