Sherburne County Jail Inmate Found Dead Amid Ongoing Federal Case

Sherburne County Jail Inmate Found Dead Amid Ongoing Federal Case

SHERBURNE COUNTY, MN — Authorities are investigating the death of an inmate at the Sherburne County Jail after he was found unresponsive in his cell on Thursday morning.

According to a press release from the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, detention staff discovered Steven Scott Gordon, 54, of Curtice, Ohio, hanging in his cell at approximately 11:24 a.m. on September 11, 2025. Staff immediately initiated lifesaving measures before Gordon was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

Officials said no foul play is suspected at this stage of the investigation. In accordance with protocol, the case is being jointly investigated by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.

Facing Federal Charges

Public records show Gordon was in custody pending federal charges. In a June 3, 2025, press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, Gordon was charged in a superseding indictment with production of child pornography.

The charges followed an FBI investigation in Ohio, where agents recovered Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on electronic devices tied to Gordon. He was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis on May 21, 2025, and ordered to remain in custody while awaiting further proceedings.

Next Steps

The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause and manner of death. As of now, no additional information has been released.

MinneapoliMedia