A Jefferson County Jail inmate died early Thursday morning at UAB Hospital.

John Christopher Jacks, 48, pleaded guilty two weeks ago to the sexual abuse of a young female family member. He was awaiting transfer to the Alabama Department of Corrections.

According to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, Jacks on Oct. 25 was found by jail staff in his private cell experience some type of medical event. He was treated on the scene and eventually taken to UAB Hospital where he remained until his death at 12:16 a.m. Thursday.

Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

Fultondale police initially arrested Jacks last year on charges of first-degree rape, incest, first-degree sex abuse and first-degree sodomy. He has been held in the county lockup since April 2022.

On Oct. 16, Jacks appeared in court – using a walker – to plead guilty to the sodomy charges. As part of the plea, the other charges were dismissed.

Jacks was sentenced to eight years in prison.