A former DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff’s Office deputy, Javarrea Pouncy, 30, pleaded guilty to beating a detainee, breaking the victim’s eye socket and nose, officials stated Wednesday.
Pouncy is guilty of depriving a detainee of his civil rights under color of law by willfully using unreasonable force against the detainee.
Pouncy is facing up to three years in prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 7.
“This defendant was an officer of the law who took an oath to serve and protect others, but he did the exact opposite of that,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana. “This incident was unnecessary and a result of this defendant’s abuse of the law. We take these violations of civil rights of others very seriously and will continue to prosecute those who violate these laws in the Western District of Louisiana.”
“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.” said Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil of the FBI New Orleans Field Office.
Court filings reveal that on September 27, 2019, while serving as a deputy at the DeSoto Parish jail, Pouncy, along with fellow deputy DeMarkes Grant, conducted a strip search on a detainee during the booking procedure.
The documents detail that Pouncy and Grant engaged in excessive use of force by repeatedly striking the detainee with around 50 blows, targeting the head and face, despite the individual posing no threat to them.
The sustained attack led to significant injuries for the detainee, necessitating hospital treatment for a fractured eye socket and nose, among other harm.
Grant previously pleaded guilty to an obstruction offense for filing a false report about the assault, which he did knowingly and purposefully to prevent authorities from learning about the unreasonable use of force.
The FBI New Orleans Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Erin Monju of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Reeg for the Western District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case.