All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Inmate death at Western Regional Jail leads to voluntary manslaughter charge

Allen Curtis Adkins, 34, has been charged with voluntary manslaughter after a May 11 altercation at Western Regional Jail led to the death of fellow inmate Lonnie Wayne Smith Jr. from head trauma.

On Monday, May 19, 2025, S/Tpr. E.H. Bennett was advised by Investigators at Western Regional Jail, located in Barboursville, of an assault that had occurred on May 11, 2025, between two inmates, which later resulted in one inmate’s death.

Through investigation, it was determined that on May 11, 2025, two inmates were in a physical altercation, and the victim, Lonnie Wayne Smith Jr., 44, Hurricane, WV, was transported to Saint Mary’s Medical Center for treatment. On May 17, 2025, the victim succumbed to a head trauma, which was a result of the altercation.

On June 25, 2025, S/Tpr. Bennett obtained the complete jail report from investigators at the facility. After consulting with Cabell County Prosecutor Jason Spears, an arrest warrant was issued on the accused for one count of voluntary manslaughter.

The accused, Allen Curtis Adkins, 34, Milton, WV, was arrested at the Western Regional Jail on the charge and is awaiting a preliminary hearing.

This investigation is ongoing.

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