Two corrections officers indicted in connection to the death of Marine veteran and inmate Anthony Johnson have been arrested by Texas Department of Public Safety. The Tarrant County jailers, Rafael Moreno and Lt. Joel Garcia, were charged after Johnson died following a struggle during a routine contraband check. Footage of the incident showed officers using pepper spray and kneeling on Johnson’s back while he was handcuffed.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Johnson’s death as a homicide due to asphyxia from physical restraint, pepper spray, and methamphetamine in his system. Moreno, seen putting his knee on Johnson’s back, and Garcia, who delayed medical care, are facing murder charges. Three more jail employees, JaQuavious Simmons, Elijah Marez, and Johnathan Nymoen, are also named as defendants in Johnson’s family’s wrongful death lawsuit.
Johnson, 31, was in jail for allegedly wielding a knife at a motorist and had a history of mental health issues, specifically schizophrenia. Johnson’s family believes the jail was aware of his condition and failed to provide necessary care, leading to his death. The arrest of Moreno and Garcia brings some justice to Johnson’s family, who will continue to seek accountability for all those involved in causing Johnson’s tragic death.
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