Man accused of deploying pepper spray in Anthony Johnson’s mouth quit job at Tarrant jail
A Tarrant County jailer named in a lawsuit filed in response to the in-custody death of Anthony Ray Johnson Jr. has quit his job, according to Sheriff’s Office records.
JaQuavious Simmons deployed pepper spray directly into Johnson’s mouth during the altercation that led to his death on April 21, according to the lawsuit filed by Johnson’s family. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Johnson died by chemical and mechanical asphyxiation and ruled the case a homicide.
County records show Simmons quit his job at the jail voluntarily and listed a lack of opportunity as the reason for his departure. The Star-Telegram has filed an open records request for a copy of Simmons’ resignation letter, if he submitted one.
Lynn Winters, an attorney for Simmons, told the Star-Telegram that Simmons wasn’t present when jailer Rafael Moreno put his knee on Johnson’s back, but that she would not be making any other comment until a response has been filed with the court.
A spokesperson for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office did not respond to a request for comment.
Johnson, a 31-year-old Marine veteran, was in the jail after he was arrested on April 19 while experiencing a schizophrenic episode, his family and authorities have said. The same morning he was arrested, Johnson sought help but was turned away by WellBridge Hospital in Fort Worth, according to family members, who said they were told he could not be admitted to the hospital because he was not a threat to himself or others.
Police records and previous statements by authorities show Johnson was arrested after a 911 call reporting that he was wielding a knife in an intersection in Saginaw.
Daryl Washington, the civil rights attorney representing Johnson’s family in the lawsuit, told the Star-Telegram that Simmons should be facing murder charges along with two other jailers who have been arrested.
“There is a problem in the manner in which Simmons discharged the pepper spray into Anthony’s mouth,” Washington told the Star-Telegram. “He’s getting away with that — they’re being too quiet. What this guy did is criminal.”
Moreno and supervisor Lt. Joel Garcia have been charged with murder in Johnson’s death. Moreno put his knee and weight on Johnson’s back for about 90 seconds while Johnson was handcuffed and face down on the ground, according to partial video of the altercation released by the Sheriff’s Office. Garcia recorded part of the video on a cellphone.
Washington said because of the chemical aspect to Johnson’s death, Simmons should also be charged. Simmons also accidentally sprayed himself with pepper spray, according to the suit.
The lawsuit mentions that Simmons and Johnson “had words” with each other before his death during what the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office said was a routine contraband check on April 21, and Washington questions whether that prior interaction played a role in Johnson’s death.
Simmons was hired in October of 2021 and reached the rank of corporal 3, according to Sheriff’s Office records.
Editor’s note: This story was updated Aug. 22 to include a comment from Simmons’ attorney.
This story was originally published August 19, 2024 at 4:22 PM.