VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – A 72-year-old inmate in Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office (VBSO) custody died of natural causes on Wednesday while receiving treatment at a local hospital.
On the evening of July 15, inmate Robert J. Gelpke, 72, was pronounced deceased at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, where he had remained under medical care since being admitted on July 5. Gelpke had been held without bond since his March 11 arrest on charges of possession of obscene material, two counts of possession of child pornography, and two counts of reproduction, transmission or distribution of child pornography.
While federal privacy laws prohibit the release of specific medical information, Gelpke was receiving treatment for a preexisting, terminal medical condition. During his time in custody at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center (VBCC), VBSO staff transported him to SPAH a total of three times, in March, June and finally in July. Since being booked at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center (VBCC), Gelpke spent 94 days in jail and 32 days in the hospital.
The incident has been reported to the Virginia Department of Corrections, which reviews all in-custody deaths and has the authority to investigate. The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Norfolk will determine the official cause and manner of death. However, preliminary findings indicate Gepke died of natural causes. Per policy, the VBSO Professional Standards Office will also conduct a review to ensure all policies, procedures and laws were followed.
This incident underscores an increasingly significant challenge facing correctional facilities nationwide: caring for an aging inmate population with complex medical needs. The VBCC is the largest city jail in Virginia, with an average daily inmate population of 1,072. Of the 1,049 inmates in custody on Thursday, 118 are age 55 or older (over 11%).
Older inmates often require significantly more medical attention than younger populations, including treatment for chronic illnesses, frequent specialty appointments, hospitalizations, prescription medications and, in some cases, end-of-life care. Providing constitutionally mandated healthcare in a correctional setting requires substantial resources and close coordination with community healthcare providers.
The VBCC spent $8 million on medical care last year under its contract with jail medical provider, VitalCore Health Strategies, a $500,000 increase from 2024.
The number of VBCC inmates with chronic care diagnoses for illnesses such as diabetes, HIV and cancer has nearly tripled over the last three years, from an average of 137 per month in 2022 to 401 in 2025. Likewise, emergency room transports have increased from 193 in 2022 to 323 in 2025.
About the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office
The Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office is responsible for operating the Virginia Beach Correctional Center, providing courthouse and courtroom security, serving civil process and supporting community engagement initiatives throughout the City of Virginia Beach.
Media contact: Public Information Officer Toni Guagenti at tguagenti@vbso.net , 757-385-8446 or 757-373-5012.
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