MANSFIELD, La. — A six-minute strip search turned into a brutal beating for Jarius Brown, who faced a broken nose and a fractured eye socket after two sheriff's deputies assaulted him in the laundry room of the DeSoto Parish Detention Center.
Footage of the incident reveals the deputies unleashing a barrage of approximately 50 punches, resulting in severe injuries to the 25-year-old, who had been arrested for car theft. Despite the shocking nature of the video, the Louisiana State Police took over a year to interview Brown and later found that the deputies acted in self-defense, classifying him as the aggressor.
The aftermath of the beating saw one deputy resigning and the other suspended as the sheriff's internal report concluded there was no justification for the deputies' actions. However, it was a federal investigation that changed the narrative, confirming that Brown was indeed a victim of excessive force.
The disturbing footage didn't see the light of day for six years until it surfaced during Brown's ongoing lawsuit seeking damages for his injuries. Brown, now 32, declined to comment through his attorneys on the ongoing civil suit.
Historical instances of police misconduct have plagued DeSoto Parish, where other deputies previously faced charges for incidents of excessive force and malfeasance. Community advocates are raising concerns over the inadequacies they perceive in the justice system, which they believe fails to protect citizens in cases such as Brown's.
The Louisiana State Police, however, stand by their assertion of a thorough investigation, despite evidence to the contrary. Former district attorney Gary Evans noted that the Justice Department's involvement became crucial in ensuring accountability.
As the case continues to unfold, Brown's father expresses deep concern over his son's mental state, which has deteriorated since the beating. Advocates call for effective reforms to hold law enforcement accountable and address systemic issues relating to polices of violence.
