Ponotoc County inmate dies after fight with cellmate

(PONTOTOC COUNTY, Okla.) The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is investigating after an inmate in the Pontotoc County Jails died as a result of an altercation with another inmate. The Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office requested OSBI assistance on Monday, December 21, 2020 after 42-year-old Billy Joe Johnson died over the weekend. Johnson was severely injured in an altercation with inmate Kalup Born, which occurred on Monday, December 14, 2020. After the altercation, Johnson was transferred to OU Medical in Oklahoma City. He succumbed to his injuries this past weekend. Born is in custody awaiting trial on multiple charges stemming from the kidnapping and murder of 70-year-old Brenda Carter in 2017. The Johnson investigation is open and ongoing. A Probable Cause affidavit has been filed for the assault on Johnson. Additional charges are possible.