DRAPER — The name of a Utah State Prison inmate found dead in his cell was released Wednesday as the investigation into his death continued.
Reo Guy Watts, 38, of Salem, was found unresponsive in his cell, located in the Oquirrh block, about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, according to prison officials. He was later declared dead and his death was considered “suspicious” and being treated as a possible homicide, prison officials said in a prepared statement.
The State Bureau of Investigations is investigating the case. A cause of death had not been released as of Wednesday.
Watts has a lengthy criminal history. In 2017, he was convicted of failing to stop for police and sentenced to up to five years in prison, according to court records.
Most recently, he was charged in 3rd District Court with failing to stop for police, drug possession and possession of burglary tools, all misdemeanor crimes. That incident allegedly happened on July 31, according to court records. At the time he was charged, Watts had already been returned to the prison, court records state.
In 2013, he was sentenced to one to 15 years in prison on a conviction of an amended charge of attempting to disarm a police officer, according to court records.
In 2011, Watts made news when Utah County sheriff’s deputies tried to arrest him for stealing copper wire and ran. But Watts became stuck in mud while trying to hide in Utah Lake and had to be rescued before being arrested.