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Inmate Caught Trading Food

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ROGERS - A Benton County inmate who filed a complaint he's losing too much weight was caught giving away his food.

Deputies witnessed Broderick Lloyd Laswell on Thursday wrap a sandwich in toilet paper and attempt to slide it under a cell door, according to reports provided by Jail Capt. Hunter Petray.

Laswell, 19, of Farmington filed a prisoner civil rights lawsuit, without a lawyer, in April in U.S. District Court in Fayetteville. The complaint stated the jail doesn't provide enough food for inmates.

Laswell reportedly weighed 413 pounds when arrested in September and in April weighed 308 pounds, according to previous reports.

Lt. Paul Carter observed Laswell eating lunch alone in E-pod and looking between a corner cell and the observation window, according to the report.

Laswell is to remain in lockdown until Monday.

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Carter stated he witnessed Laswell wrap a bologna and mustard sandwich in toilet paper and conceal it against his right thigh while walking to the corner cell.

As Laswell went to slide the sandwich under the cell, Carter got on the intercom and asked him to bring the sandwich to him, according to the report. Laswell immediately began to eat the sandwich.

Laswell stated he was giving away his sandwich but was going to receive another one later. Laswell refused to name the inmate who he was trading with, according to the report.

Soon thereafter Laswell changed his story, saying he was walking around the pod eating the sandwich. He also claimed he was never told by deputies to not trade food.

Inmates are not authorized to trade food amongst themselves, according to the report.

Petray said it is the first time deputies have caught Laswell getting rid of food but there could have been other attempts. Laswell received 10 days in lockdown with a loss of privileges for punishment, according to jail reports.

The Benton County Jail has served only cold food for years. The meals, provided through Aramark Correctional Institution Services, average 3,000 calories a day, according to previous reports.

The meals may not be steak but they meet nutritional and state requirements, Petray said.

Brandon Lacy, 28, of Rogers and Laswell were arrested in September by the Benton County Sheriff's Office in connection with the death of Randall Walker, 47, of Garfield in August.

Prosecutor Van Stone filed capital murder charges in October against Laswell and Lacy.