According to Sheriff Robert Maciol, a Utica resident who…

According to Sheriff Robert Maciol, a Utica resident who was being held at the Oneida County Correctional Facility has passed away . Sheriff Maciol reports Ronald Pierce, age 56 of Whitesboro Street, Utica was found by Corrections Officers shortly before 7:50am as the officers were performing their routine tours. Officers upon observing Pierce unresponsive, Correction Officers and Medical Staff immediately started CPR. Pierce was transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, where he passed away at approximately 9am. Pierce’s body was transported to the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy will be performed. At this time the death appears to be medical in nature.

According to Maciol, the Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation into this death along with subsequent independent investigations by the NYS Commission of Corrections and the NYS Attorney General’ s Office. Since April 1st of this year, the Office of Special Investigations within the Attorney General’s Office requires an investigation into the death of anyone who is in the custody of a police or peace officer anywhere in New York State.

No further information can be released at this time.