Cleveland County jail inmate dies

A Cleveland County Detention Center inmate has died fewer than three weeks after the most recent death at the county jail.

Thomas Sanchez Pesina, 58, was declared dead by medical personnel Saturday at Norman Regional Hospital.

A press release from the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office called the incident a medical episode, and reported medical staff found no signs of physical trauma. The timeline released by CCSO begins just after 7 a.m. Saturday.

“Preliminary review of the incident shows Pesina was interacting with his cellmate earlier in the day,” the press release states. “During in-person sight checks conducted between 7:22 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., no issues were detected in the pod with either Pesina or any of the other inmates present. At 10:20 a.m. detention officers were in the pod and began serving food trays. Pesina was served and ate his meal. At 11:35 a.m. a medical alert was issued for Pesina, who was unresponsive. At 11:37 a.m. medical and detention staff were in the unit to assist. CPR was immediately initiated and EMS services were dispatched.

“Pesina was transported to Norman Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead. According to medical staff, there were no signs of physical trauma to Pesina’s body. His cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s office.”

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation will assist in the investigation into Pesina’s death, according to CCSO.

Pesina had been found incompetent to stand trial for 2023 assault and drug possession charges and was awaiting transfer to the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita, according to CCSO.