2016 INMATE DEATH AT FULTON COUNTY DETENTION CENTER LEADS TO GRAND JURY INDICTMENT

May 16, 2019

Among indictments issued by the May 9 session of the Fulton County Grand Jury, was a charge of wanton endangerment, 1st degree, against Daniel Thomas, who once served as a jail investigator at the Fulton County Detention Center in Hickman.

The Grand Jury does not determine guilt or innocence, only hears the evidence, following a presentation of evidence by the prosecutor, deliberates and comes to a decision as to whether there is sufficient proof to bring charges against an individual. Should the Grand Jury determine there is sufficient proof to bring charges, an indictment, which is a formal, criminal charge against a person for a felony, is then delivered.

Typically, the person who may be charged and the defense attorney do not provide any proof or evidence to the Grand Jury.

According to Fulton County Jailer Steven Williams, the indictment was related to an incident at the FCDC, which began Oct. 26, 2016, when jail staff conducted a routine cell check.

As reported in the Nov. 3, 2016 edition of The Hickman Courier, a press release from the Kentucky State Police stated Kyle E. Combs, 26, an inmate at the FCDC, was found in his cell on Oct. 26, in a semi-conscious state, was transported to Baptist Hospital in Union City, Tenn., and there he was pronounced dead by the hospital staff.

At the time of the incident, then Fulton County Deputy Jailer Jeff Johnson stated cell checks were conducted on an hourly basis. Preliminary investigation conducted by the KSP reportedly indicated Combs overdosed on an unknown drug while in the cell with 28 other inmates.

The published report in The Courier went on to state while it was unclear how the unidentified drug found its way into the Detention Center, a 12 year veteran employee, Daniel Thomas, was fired.

Thomas was a jail investigator and in charge of the facility evidence locker.

David Gallagher, who at the time was serving as the Liaison between the Fulton County Detention Center and the Fulton County Fiscal Court, told The Courier, "Thomas was fired at will.....he was not fired for criminal activity", as quoted in the Nov. 3, 2016 report.

Multiple calls have been made to Kentucky State Police, by The Current, regarding a comment on the case, but no calls have been returned.

Reportedly, Thomas turned himself in to Hickman City Police Monday, May 13, was booked and released on bond the same day.

Thomas is scheduled to appear May 23 in Circuit Court at the Fulton County Courthouse in Hickman.