SHREVEPORT—An inmate is suing the Lafourche Parish jail for $3.5 million in damages, alleging he was forced to drink toilet water because his cell had no running water.
In a complaint now with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Treiston Pierron is suing the jail, assistant warden Jessica Bordelon, Lt. Robin Naquin, and officers Charles Newton, Caleb Lymose and Robert Mulie for $3.5 million, alleging the officers placed him in a segregation cell on Dec. 26 that had no running water. Although he was given a water jug, Pierron claims he was left without water to drink for more than 24 hours on Jan. 9 after a guard took the jug away and he had to drank water from the toilet.
Although she couldn't discuss the merits of Pierron's particular case, Marjorie Esman, director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Louisiana, did reference the United States' ban on cruel and unusual punishment in discussing cases such as this.
"The United States Constitution bans cruel and unusual punishment," Esman said. "Most people would think that forcing someone to drink from the toilet would be unusual and cruel."
Pierron, who is being held on charges of simple arson, assisting escape, aggravated arson and contempt of court, stated in his complaint that he filed a grievance with the jail after the incident, but got no response.
"They are just trying to cover everything up and throw away my papers," he wrote in his suit, which was originally filed on Jan. 29.
Pierron said he became ill after drinking the water, and has yet to receive medical treatment beyond receiving Tylenol and Mucinex.
In addition to damages, Pierron is asking the court to demote the warden, suspend the officers and allow him to see a doctor.
Esman said the court will decide if those terms are met.
"A court can do one of two things: give a plaintiff what they request or deny it," Esman. "One is that he gets what he asks for. Another is that he doesn't."