Arnold man facing drug charges dies after arrest

An Arnold man died Tuesday after being arrested on drug charges the previous day.

Khalies Khorhid Lewis, 39, died Tuesday afternoon at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office said.

Although an autopsy has been completed, no information on the cause or manner of Lewis’ death was available Wednesday as the case remains under investigation, the coroner said.

Lewis was arrested Monday during a drug sting in New Kensington.

Lewis was taken sometime after his arrest to Westmoreland Hospital from the county jail. A hospital spokesman said he was unable to comment, citing patient privacy laws.

In a statement, Warden Bryan L. Kline said Lewis, who he described as a “court detainee,” was taken to the hospital by ambulance because of a medical emergency. No details on the nature of the medical emergency were provided.

“As standard operating procedure, this matter is being investigated by the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office,” Kline’s statement said. “Due to an ongoing investigation and out of respect for the family, no further information can be released.”

According to a criminal complaint, agents with the state Office of Attorney General arrested Lewis on Monday while conducting a narcotics surveillance detail in the area of Main Street in New Kensington. Authorities say it’s an area known for high drug trafficking and crime.

Police said Lewis was seen driving a car into the parking lot behind the Sheetz convenience store at 325 Freeport St. A man identified as a “cooperating witness” told agents he bought a bundle of heroin from Lewis for $60.

Police took Lewis into custody on an accusation of possession of heroin, and he was taken to the New Kensington Police Department.

The complaint states Lewis began losing consciousness while being processed. Police said Lewis told them he was diabetic and his medication was at his apartment in the 1600 block of Fifth Avenue in Arnold.

Police said Lewis gave permission for agents to get his medication, and his girlfriend let them in to retrieve it.

Police said as agents went through the apartment, they saw drugs and paraphernalia in plain view, including three scales. Agents obtained a search warrant and catalogued what they found, which included a packet of fentanyl and $570.

Because of his death, the case against Lewis was dismissed at District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.’s office.