SHREVEPORT -- An inmate is suing his jailers and all of Webster Parish for an alleged battery that took place in 2014.
Deqorien Burris filed a complaint on June 24 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Shreveport Division, against Webster Parish, Sheriff Gary Sexton, Warden John Lewis, Deputy Joe Morgan, Sgt. Stacey Ward and two other unknown deputies.
On June 26, 2014, the lawsuit states Burris was an inmate at the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center in Webster Parish. While Burris was in his cell, Deputy Morgan and Sgt. Ward entered the cell to take him somewhere. He claims he didn't resist.
He was handcuffed, then Deputy Morgan grabbed Burris by the back of the neck and Ward "suddenly and without warning approached and struck the plaintiff in his head for no lawful reason," according to the lawsuit. "As they are walking down the hall, Sgt. Ward struck the plaintiff again in the head. Two unknown deputies were also present at the time and did nothing to intervene to stop the abuse."
The plaintiff, citing excessive use of force, negligence and ratification, seeks unspecified damages, plus interest, punitive damages, court costs and attorneys' fees.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney Nelson W. Cameron of Shreveport.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana case number 5:15-cv-01951-SMH-MLH.