Four Louisiana State Police troopers were arrested Monday"after a comprehensive and in depth review of usage of force encounters from the Monroe region," the law enforcement agency stated in a press release.
The troopers -- recognized as 30-year-old Jacob Brown, 28-year-old Dakota DeMoss, 34-year-old Randall Dickerson and 26-year-old George Harper -- face charges of simple battery and malfeasance in office. Brown faces an additional charge of obstruction of justice, according to the Louisiana State Police. It was unclear whether any of the troopers have got legal representation.
The charges stem from two incidents in July 2019 and May 2020. The earlier incident happened during a traffic stop on Interstate 20 at Ouachita Parish, following troopers discovered suspected narcotics in the vehicle and placed the driver into custody, according to the Louisiana State Police. Brown and Dickerson allegedly utilized excessive and unjustifiable force on the handcuffed motorist, deactivated body-worn cameras and reported untruthful statements about the alleged immunity by the defendant, according to the Louisiana State Police.
The second episode occurred following a car pursuit in Franklin Parish. After the effective deployment of a tire deflation device, the driver left the car and promptly laid on the ground in a compliant position, as stated by the Louisiana State Police. DeMoss, Harper and Brown allegedly used surplus and unjustifiable force throughout the handcuffing process and deactivated body-worn cameras. Brown also allegedly faked using force and arrest reports and supposedly failed to signal and provide video evidence, as stated by the Louisiana State Police.
Louisiana State Police detectives obtained arrest warrants for several four troopers and placed them into custody without incident Monday afternoon.
"The unjustifiable use of power by our personnel is inexcusable and tarnishes the exemplary work of the dedicated men and women of the Department of Public Safety," Col. Lamar Davis, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, said in a statement Monday. "I commend our investigative team for their excellence and professionalism in this investigation. Our service remains committed to upholding the public trust and supplying professional, honest, and compassionate public safety services."
