An autopsy is being conducted on the body of a federal prisoner found hanging in a cell of the Lafayette County Detention Center.

Sheriff Buddy East says it appears 29-year-old Antonio L. Tate of Columbus hanged himself.

Tate was found about 4:45 p.m. Monday.

East contacted the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which is looking into the death.

Tate was a federal prisoner and being held on charges of bank robbery and escape.