Louisiana state police sent text messages about allegedly beating a black suspect after he surrendered after a high-speed chase, according to court lawsuits.
Records earlier this month were first reported by the local blog Sound Off Louisiana on Thursday, according to The Washington Post. They included swearing messages from a chat group that police officer Dakota DeMoss, who is white, sent three other white soldiers over an “a-whoopin ‘” given to Antonio Harris.
Louisiana State Police wrote in the lawsuit that the exchange took place after Harris was sent to prison.
“How was his attitude in prison?” police colleague Jacob Brown asks, according to the documents.
“Total silence,” replied Officer George Harper.
“Lol, he was still digesting that … wow,” said DeMoss.
Brown also said: “It will take a few days” and “it will hurt tomorrow, for sure”.
“BET he won’t run away from an adult bear again,” says Brown.
“I bet he doesn’t even go to Los Angeles anymore,” says DeMoss.
Harper then says, “GRIZZLY. Nah, he is going to spread the word that is c — for sure. “
DeMos also says, “He’s going to have nightmares for a long time.”
Brown then says “lmao … it warms my heart knowing we could educate that young man.”
A Louisiana State Police spokesman said he could not provide further comment on the incident due to ongoing investigations and litigation. Dickerson, DeMoss and Harper are currently on administrative leave.
Brown, DeMoss, Harper and Randall Dickerson were arrested last month on simple charges of battery and improbity after a two-year investigation into the use of excessive force.
During Harris’ arrest in May 2020, DeMoss, Harper and Brown reportedly used excessive force and turned off body cameras during the chase. Brown also falsified the use of force and arrest reports.
Brown and Dickerson face charges of using “excessive and unjustifiable force” when arresting a suspected drug-possession driver for a month in July 2019 traffic stop.
Brown, who faced an additional charge of obstructing justice, resigned from the Department on Friday, according to The lawyer.
Updated 21:44