ANGLETON -- An Angleton man who was being booked into the Brazoria County Jail on drug possession charges died after eating what authorities say was a bag of crack.
William Yendis Franklin, 28, was taken to the county jail Thursday after a Texas state trooper arrested him on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. As Franklin undressed for a body search during the booking process, he reached into his underwear and pulled out a small bag, officials said.
Franklin, whose handcuffs had been removed so he could undress, had been cooperative, said Brazoria County Sheriff's Lt. Russ Baker. Two officers were in the room at the time.
Franklin chewed on the bag, then pulled the empty bag from his mouth, Baker said. Franklin was taken by ambulance to Angleton-Danbury Hospital, where he died in the emergency room.
The Galveston County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine cause of death. Results of drug tests are expected in about two weeks.
Franklin had been held in the county jail about 20 times since 1997, including on charges of drug possession, driving while intoxicated and driving without a valid license. He also served a prison term for drug possession.
The Brazoria County Sheriff's Department and Texas Rangers are also investigating the incident.
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