CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – Ross County Sheriff George Lavender emerged as the winner in the recent election, running unopposed after his opposite Isaac Oberer was removed from the ballot. However, serious issues persist within the Ross County Jail under his administration. Just a day before the election, another incident highlighted these ongoing concerns. On November 4, medics were called to the jail following a possible overdose, marking the latest in a string of similar incidents that have plagued the facility for years.
According to a report from the sheriff’s office, deputies were alerted shortly after noon when an inmate in the jail’s C-Pod was found unresponsive, believed to have overdosed. Corrections officers administered two doses of Narcan, and additional doses were required before the individual eventually regained consciousness. The inmate’s identity has not been disclosed.
Following the incident, other inmates in the pod underwent a screening with the jail’s body scanner, and two K-9 units were deployed to search for drugs. Despite the search, the sheriff’s report indicates that no contraband was found. The incident remains under investigation.
Over the years, the Ross County Jail has seen several overdose cases, including multiple deaths that have sparked public outcry and concern within the community. Since the inception of the Guardian, we have covered numerous incidents at the jail, underscoring ongoing safety and security issues within the facility. Until this year, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections classified the jail as a “status jail” for repeatedly failing state inspections, though the jail finally met compliance standards in 2024.
The deaths of several inmates, some under unclear circumstances, have drawn significant attention from local residents. As Sheriff Lavender enters another term, many in the community remain skeptical about his administration’s ability to address the overdose crisis and prevent further tragedies.