An officer with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office found an inmate hanging in his single-person cell in the south division of the jail. This is the maximum security section of the jail.
While conducting a check on the inmate, detention deputies found Larry Kobielnik, 38, hanging in the cell. They summoned medical staff and Fire Rescue. Immediate efforts to revive Kobielnik at the scene were unsuccessful. Kobielnik was pronounced dead at 3:31 a.m. at the jail.
Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives and the Administrative Investigation Division are investigating the death; per agency policy and procedure in these incidents.
On August 13, 2014 Kobielnik was convicted of Sexual Battery and Falsely Personating a Officer.
On Friday, July 26, 2013 Kobielnik approached the victim in his vehicle and she voluntarily entered. When the victim tried to exit the vehicle he placed her in handcuffs and took her to his house. The victim was sexually battered and was able to escape when the suspect fell asleep. Kobielnik was currently awaiting his sentencing hearing scheduled for 9:00 am August 14, 2014.
The investigation continues.
