Detention Sergeant Charged with Battery
BONNERS FERRY — Bryant Brown, a former Boundary County jail employee, faces an aggravated battery charge following an incident in January 2023 where he allegedly assaulted an inmate.
Legal Proceedings
Charges were filed in September, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for November 17 at the Boundary County Courthouse. Two earlier hearings were canceled for undisclosed reasons. Brown, 37, posted a $50,000 bond but has not yet entered a plea.
Incident Details
The incident involved an inmate wanted on a misdemeanor warrant from Kootenai County, who was arrested by Bonners Ferry Police Department on January 3, 2023. According to a probable cause affidavit by Sheriff's Detective Brandon Blackmore, the inmate was intoxicated, verbally abusive, and uncooperative with jail staff.
After a heated verbal exchange with Brown, the inmate entered his holding cell. The affidavit states:
"Brown shoved the man against a glass window inside the cell and struck him with a fist, causing his head to hit a brick wall in the cell."
The inmate attempted to grab Brown's arms to stop the assault but did not otherwise resist. The affidavit further alleges:
"Brown then grabbed the man’s throat with both hands and slammed his head into the brick wall."
Additional Notes
The Herald does not disclose the victims' names in criminal cases.
Author's summary: A former jail employee faces serious charges after allegedly assaulting an intoxicated inmate, with a preliminary hearing set later this month.