JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The autopsy report for a Duval County inmate who died three days after an incident at the jail in April is now in the hands of the State Attorney’s Office, which is investigating Charles Faggart’s death.
Nine correctional staff members were removed from their positions after the 31-year-old’s death, and many questions remain about what led to it.
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The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office released a partially redacted report on the incident, but Faggart’s family said that did not paint the full picture of events.
“I’m just looking for justice, that’s all. I’m not looking to start trouble. I’m just looking to end it because this is ridiculous‚" Faggart’s mother, Tracey Karpas, said. “I miss my son.”
The State Attorney’s Office confirmed to News4JAX that it has received Faggart’s autopsy report from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Prosecutors said the report cannot be released because of the ongoing investigation into Faggart’s death.
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“My son never deserved anything like this in his life,” Karpas said. “He was in there for two misdemeanors and now he’s dead.”
It was clear almost as soon as Faggart arrived at UF Health on April 7 that he was badly, and perhaps fatally, injured, according to medical records obtained by The Tributary that contradicted some of the information released in JSO’s redacted report.
Faggart was arrested April 1 on charges of simple assault and criminal mischief, both misdemeanors. The father and food-truck vendor was officially declared dead on April 10.
Karpas said the hardest part about the situation has been explaining it to Faggart’s 6-year-old.
“Now the only way my grandson gets to see his dad is when we go to the grave, and it just doesn’t make sense in his little mind, and it kills me,” Karpas said.
News4JAX asked JSO for a response to what was in the medical report, and a spokesperson issued a statement:
“The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office understands that certain members of the public would like information about the facts gathered in the investigation into Mr. Charles Faggart’s death immediately. JSO has not and will not release details of the gathered evidence nor protected medical records. Releasing information about evidence in this case before the criminal investigation is completed would be contrary to the law and the agency’s duty to protect the integrity of the criminal investigation. Likewise, JSO will not comment in any way on what is being purported as evidence, as doing so would hinder the criminal investigation’s integrity.
Sheriff (T.K.) Waters has repeatedly stated that when the criminal investigation is completed, he will share that information with, first, the Faggart family, and then, the public. Thorough death investigations take time and multi-agency coordination. The SAO continues its independent criminal investigation. Likewise, the FBI continues to provide support. JSO’s primary responsibility is to complete a comprehensive investigation and provide the Faggart family with the answers concerning their loved one’s passing."
