Detention Sergeant Charged with Battery
Bryant Brown, a former employee at the Boundary County jail, faces an aggravated battery charge for allegedly assaulting an inmate in January 2023. Charges were filed in September, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for November 17 at the Boundary County Courthouse.
Brown, 37, had two prior hearing dates vacated for unspecified reasons. A $50,000 bond was set and posted, and Brown has not yet entered a plea.
Details of the Incident
The incident involved an inmate arrested by Bonners Ferry Police Department, wanted on a misdemeanor warrant out of Kootenai County. The inmate, described as intoxicated and verbally abusive, had a contentious verbal exchange with Brown before entering his holding cell.
According to a probable cause affidavit by Sheriff's Detective Brandon Blackmore, Brown pushed the inmate against a glass window in the cell and punched him, causing the inmate's head to hit a brick wall.
The affidavit states Brown "grabbed the man’s throat with both hands and slammed his head into the brick wall."
The inmate tried to stop the blows by grabbing Brown’s arms but did not resist further.
Legal Procedure and Privacy
- The Herald did not name the victim due to criminal case privacy.
- Brown's current plea status is pending.
Author’s summary: The case centers on serious allegations of assault by a jail employee against an inmate, with legal proceedings ongoing and the accused yet to enter a plea.