A former corrections officer at a jail in Alabama has admitted guilt in connection with the death of an inmate who died of hypothermia after spending two weeks naked in a cold concrete cell. Joshua Conner Jones pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal conspiracy to violate an inmate’s rights in the case of Tony Mitchell, 33, who passed away in 2023. Jones also pleaded guilty to a separate count related to the mistreatment of another unidentified inmate.

Jones, who is currently out on bond, is awaiting sentencing. His plea agreement implicated three additional unnamed co-conspirators who were allegedly involved in Mitchell’s death, suggesting that more individuals could face charges in the future.

Mitchell was initially detained on January 12 following concerns raised by a family member about his mental state. Upon law enforcement’s arrival, Mitchell reportedly fired a gun at deputies. Over the following two weeks in custody, Mitchell was frequently naked, wet, cold, and covered in feces without basic amenities like clothing or bedding. He eventually became unresponsive and was neglected medically.

Rather than providing proper care to Mitchell, Jones and his accomplices reportedly justified their inaction by saying that Mitchell deserved his condition due to his previous actions. It wasn’t until January 26, 2023, that Mitchell was taken to a hospital after a nurse insisted on urgent medical attention. Sadly, Mitchell passed away shortly after being admitted to the hospital. The cause of death was determined to be hypothermia and sepsis due to medical neglect.

In a plea deal, Jones acknowledged his involvement in Mitchell’s tragic death, stating that collectively, they were responsible for his demise. A lawyer representing Mitchell’s family in a civil case stated that the family was dismayed to see in writing the details of what had happened to Tony Mitchell.