A former sheriff's office deputy in Louisiana pleaded guilty to depriving a detainee of his civil rights under color of law by willfully using unreasonable force against the detainee.
As part of the booking procedure, Javarrea Pouncy, 30, and another deputy conducted a strip search on an inmate while he was employed as a deputy at the DeSoto Parish jail. The incident happened on September 27, 2019.
Even though the prisoner did not pose a threat to either officer, Pouncy and the other deputy, DeMarkes Grant, hit the detainee multiple times during the search.
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The inmate took about fifty punches from the officers, including blows to the head and face. The detainee was hospitalized following the assault and was found to have multiple injuries, including a broken nose and a shattered eye socket.
Grant had previously entered a guilty plea to an obstruction charge for knowingly and deliberately filing a false report about the assault to keep the authorities from discovering that there had been an unreasonable use of force.
“Like any law enforcement officer, the defendant had a duty to protect people in his custody,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Instead of fulfilling his duty, the defendant abused his authority by beating a detainee who posed no threat to him, leaving the victim broken, bloodied, and bruised. The Justice Department is committed to investigating and prosecuting officers who violate the civil and constitutional rights of those in their care.”
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“There is never any excuse for a man or woman who takes the oath to serve and protect to do what Pouncy did in this case,” said Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. “The FBI is committed to uncovering cowards who attempt to hide their acts of violence behind the badge. Justice is finally served in this case.”
Pouncey's sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 7. According to the conditions of his plea agreement, Pouncy faces 30 to 37 months in prison. A federal district court judge will impose a sentence after examining the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory circumstances.
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