Austin L. Miller| austin.miller@starbanner.com
The number of inmates at the Marion County Jail who have tested positive for COVID-19 has increased significantly within the past week, and the figure could rise as officials receive more test results.
While testifying during a bail modification hearing on Friday, Dr.Tabitha Downey told the court that as of Thursday, 74 inmates has tested positive for COVID-19. She said results are pending for 150 more inmates.
Earlier this week, the number was 49. Last week, it was 44.
In addition, 15 jail workers have tested positive. That number also is on the rise.
The doctor’s testimony came during a hearing concerning inmate Dominique Owens, who has tested positive for COVID-19. Owens, who is awaiting trial and accused of several violent felonies, sought, unsuccessfully, to have his bail reduced from $85,000.
Owens had been housed in A Pod, a maximum security wing that houses the most dangerous and violent offenders, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, which operates the jail. It appears the virus was first detected in A Pod.
Downey, a chief medical officer for Heart of Florida, the agency that provides healthcare for jail inmates, said Owens and others who have contracted the deadly disease are isolated from other people at the jail.
She said the infected inmates, who are in D Pod, are being treated twice a day by nurses who wear protective clothing and masks.
With limited available space, the infected group is segregated to one area, which is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the doctor.
Downey said medical staff is equipped to provide care for the infected inmates. If for any reason any patient needs additional treatment, that inmate would be transported to AdventHealth Ocala or Ocala Regional Medical Center.
As for Owens specifically: Downey said sometimes the 33-year-old man, who has been at the jail since Nov. 14, 2018 and was diagnosed with COVID-19 late last month, has refused treatment. The doctor said medical staff is aware that Owens has asthma.
Downey said the treatment refusals are concerning. She said medical personnel has talked with everyone in D Pod about the importance of being checked twice a day.
Aside from having asthma, which Downey said is being monitored, Owens is bipolar and experiences depression and anxiety. H has been given medicine as appropriate. She said Owens sometimes refuses to take his medications.
Owens’ lawyer, Yvens Pierre-Antoine of Gainesville, is one of the founders of the Florida Justice Group. During the hearing, the lawyer asked if inmates with COVID-19 should be housed together. Downey told the attorney it’s not ideal; however, the jail is abiding by CDC guidelines.
Downey said so far inmates in D Pod has shown any signs of failing health. She said those with COVID-19 have been staying in D Pod since late June.
Pierre-Antoine told the court if his client should be released, pending resolution of his criminal case, he would live with his aunt, who is a licensed counselor. He said Owens has no history of absconding and would agree to an electronic monitoring device.
The lawyer said Owens’ asthma condition is a concern for Owens’ family, and argued the best thing to do is to allow his to be released so he can receive proper healthcare.
Assistant State Attorney Lori Cotton said jail officials are keeping the jail clean and properly caring for the infected population. She said the court should not ignore Owens’ criminal history, which includes time in prison.
State records show Owens was released in early 2017 after serving time for drug possession.
Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti asked Downey if she knew D Pod’s capacity and whether inmates were housed one or two to a cell. She did not know the answer to either question. She assured the judge that those who has COVID-19 are separate from healthy inmates.
After hearing both sides, Tatti said he believes Owens’ bond ($85,000) is reasonable and that the inmate is being treated properly at the jail. The judge said he was concerned about Owens refusing treatment.
Although he denied the motion, Tatti told Pierre-Antoine that if Owens’ health situation changes, then he wants to hear about it.
Court documents show Owens was arrested on Nov. 13, 2018, on a charge of aggravated domestic battery with a firearm, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a residence on Oct. 30, 2018, where Owens reportedly broke into the home and held a man at gunpoint. He also threatened to kill the man.
While there, Owens choked and put a gun at the head of a woman. He hit her in the head with the gun, and repeatedly punched her in the head, according to what deputies were told. Owens fled before deputies arrived.
In another incident, on Oct. 29, 2018, the woman who was assaulted by Owens on Oct. 30, told deputies that Owens slapped her face, choked and bit her forehead. Owens was charged with domestic battery by strangulation and battery, second offense.
In Owens’ arrest report, it states he was adjudicated guilty in 2011 for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
In the motion for bond reduction, Pierre-Antoine noted that the victims in each case said they want to drop the charges and that they are not afraid of Owens.
Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb
