Joshua Garbutt
Joshua Garbutt, 32, grew up in Trinity County, graduated from Trinity High School in 2009, and worked installing solar panels and a year of trail work with the California Conservation Corps; his mother, Stacy Pohlmeyer, describes him as forthcoming and loving. He died on January 14, 2024, in a holding cell at the Trinity County Correctional Facility, which the sheriff's office calls the Trinity County Jail. The sheriff's office initially reported a medical emergency and said the death is still under investigation and that correctional staff did not use force. Pohlmeyer's lawsuit against the county alleges that he asked for medical care over several days, that he had been vomiting for nearly three days, and that he was left in a cell without the drug treatment he needed. The county says it will not release more information while the case is in litigation.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). The sheriff's office initially reported a medical emergency and says force was not used, while his mother's lawsuit says he was denied drug treatment and medical care for days, vomited for nearly three days, and was left in solitary confinement until he died.
Reported by: Trinity County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Stacy Pohlmeyer, his mother, through a lawsuit against Trinity County (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His mother, Stacy Pohlmeyer, sued Trinity County over his death, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.