PORT ALLEN — The warden hired last fall to address a deadly drug problem at the West Baton Rouge Parish Detention Center has resigned, less than a year into the job and weeks after another inmate died and four more were hospitalized for suspected overdoses.

Trevor McDonald's resignation was confirmed Tuesday by Sgt. Landon Groger, a spokesman for the West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office. The agency did not provide a reason for the departure and said it did not plan to issue a public statement.

McDonald was hired on September 22, 2025, after four inmates died at the facility over a six-month span. He was brought in to stabilize the detention center's operations. The sheriff's office said at the time that he brought more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement and corrections, including leadership roles with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and the Department of Corrections.

Two incidents in 48 hours

On the evening of July 5, federal detainee Darren Dorman Jr., 46, was found unresponsive in a cell in the maximum security section of the facility. A cellmate notified correctional deputies, who administered first aid while EMS responded. Dorman was pronounced dead at the scene. His cause of death is pending an autopsy by the West Baton Rouge Parish Coroner's Office. The U.S. Marshal's Service confirmed his identity.

Two days later, on July 7, four inmates were found unresponsive in a separate part of the facility. The sheriff's office said all four exhibited a "narcotic event" and were given Narcan before being transported to local hospitals. All four recovered and returned to the detention center.

WBRSO Chief of Staff Kevin Devall told media outlets that the July 7 incident occurred in the intake area, and that the drugs "started outside of the jail."

According to the sheriff's office, a trusty returning from a work release site began showing signs of intoxication. Deputies brought him back to the facility and placed him in a holding area, where investigators believe he shared synthetic marijuana with three other inmates. That inmate has been removed from the work release program.

The deaths that led to McDonald's hiring

Sheriff Jeff Bergeron announced security reforms in August 2025, after the first three deaths. Those measures included searching trusties before and after their work assignments, screening inmates returning from court or medical visits, checking the facility's perimeter, and documenting hourly rounds.

An internal affairs investigation into the May 2025 death of Unterio Lewis found that two deputies had failed to follow procedures. One was suspended for improper searches, the other for failing to conduct required rounds. Lewis died of combined drug toxicity, a mixture of cocaine and fentanyl, according to the coroner.

In the August 2025 death of Jeremy Paul, 30, investigators determined that inmate Nicholas Henderson, 26, provided Paul with synthetic cannabinoids known as "Mojo." Henderson was charged with second degree murder. On September 7, 2025, Henderson himself was found dead in a lockdown cell.

Ryan Moreau, 38, died in March 2025 after a medical emergency. A facility-wide shakedown two days later turned up improvised weapons, loose tobacco, and papers soaked in synthetic cannabinoids. Two inmates were charged with obstruction of justice.

What's next

McDonald's departure leaves the facility without the warden who was brought in to address the security problems. The sheriff's office has not said who will take over the position. McDonald could not be reached for comment.

This is a developing story.