Inmate dies in Buffalo County Jail

KEARNEY, Neb. — Authorities are investigating the death of an inmate in the Buffalo County Jail.

The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office says staff found 55-year-old Craig Martin of Kearney unresponsive in his cell around 7:20 Tuesday morning. A news release says responding officers called for medical assistance and began life-saving efforts. Paramedics transported Martin to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Martin was in custody for two counts of failure to appear. Court records show that he pleaded no contest to second-degree forgery in 2020. Court documents say he failed to show up to a violation of probation hearing in 2021 and a judge issued an arrest warrant. Martin was arrested on May 6. A new violation of probation hearing was set for Thursday.

The death will be investigated by South Central Area Law Enforcement Services. The death will also be reviewed by a grand jury, which is required for all in-custody deaths. The Buffalo County Attorney has requested an autopsy.