Lawsuit: Fremont County inmate died after denied medication

A lawsuit claims a Fremont County jail inmate who died in custody in 2014 was denied prescription medication and beaten before his death.

According to a federal lawsuit filed Thursday, 53-year-old John Walter had nine broken ribs and other injuries when Fremont County sheriff’s deputies found him naked on the floor of his cell on April 20, 2014.

The lawsuit accuses guards of injuring Walter while trying to restrain him as he suffered withdrawal from clonazepam, a psychotropic medication generally used in the treatment of anxiety. Walter stopped taking his regular dose of medication when he was booked into jail April 3 on investigation of assault, menacing and reckless endangerment.

Fremont County Sheriff Jim Beicker didn’t respond to a request for comment.