Former Baton Rouge deputy accused of hitting inmate with metal chair being sued

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - A man who was allegedly smacked in the face with a chair while incarcerated at East Baton Rouge Parish Prison is suing the deputy accused of hitting him as well as the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office (EBRSO) exactly one year after the alleged incident.

According to court records, Joshua Smith was at the prison in March of 2023 when a deputy named Aaron Johnson attempted to get involved in some sort of disagreement between Smith and another correctional officer. The lawsuit says that Johnson eventually “smashed” Smith in the face with a metal folding chair.

Though Johnson denied hitting Smith with the chair, several witnesses came forward saying they saw the deputy holding the chair as if he’d just swung it at Smith, according to the lawsuit.

Deputies later arrested Johnson and booked him into parish prison for malfeasance in office and aggravated second-degree battery charges. 19th Judicial District Attorney Hillar Moore later indicted Johnson on those same charges in July of 2023.

The sheriff’s office also fired him.

Johnson is due back in court on April 2 for his criminal case. The lawsuit has been filed with the federal court in Baton Rouge.

Smith is represented by Baton Rouge civil rights attorney Ron Haley. Court records show Smith was likely in jail at the time related to a battery charge.

RELATED: EBRSO: Prison guard arrested for allegedly battering inmate

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