Detention Sergeant Charged with Battery
Bonners Ferry — Bryant Brown, a former Boundary County jail employee, faces a charge of aggravated battery for allegedly beating an inmate in January 2023. Charges were filed in September, months after the incident.
A preliminary hearing for Brown, 37, is scheduled for November 17 at the Boundary County Courthouse. Two previous hearing dates were canceled for undisclosed reasons. A bond of $50,000 was set and paid. Brown has not yet entered a plea.
Incident Details
On January 3, 2023, an inmate wanted on a misdemeanor warrant from Kootenai County was arrested by the Bonners Ferry Police Department. The Herald does not disclose victims' names in criminal cases.
According to a probable cause affidavit by Sheriff's Detective Brandon Blackmore, the inmate was intoxicated and verbally abusive and uncooperative with jail staff.
The affidavit states that after a heated verbal exchange with Brown, the inmate entered his holding cell. Then, Brown allegedly shoved the inmate against a glass window and struck him with a fist, causing the inmate’s head to hit a brick wall.
The inmate reportedly tried to hold Brown’s arms to stop the punches but did not resist beyond that. The affidavit further alleges that Brown grabbed the inmate's throat with both hands and slammed his head into the brick wall.
Legal Proceedings
- Preliminary hearing set for November 17
- Two prior hearings vacated
- $50,000 bond posted
- No plea entered yet
Summary: A former jail officer is accused of violently assaulting an inmate, with legal proceedings ongoing but delayed by previous hearing cancellations.