Suspect alleges brutality by deputy, wants charges dropped

A New Iberia man wants drug charges against him dropped and the deputy who arrested him out of black residents’ neighborhoods, a New Orleans minister said at a sparsely attended press conference Tuesday.

The Rev. Raymond Brown, chairman of the New Orleans chapter of the National Action Network, held the press conference at New Iberia’s Bunk Johnson Park concerning the April 7 arrest of Donovan L. Jones.

Jones, 24, was charged with possession of schedule two drugs with intent to distribute and with resisting an officer. During the struggle with officers, at around 5:15 p.m. in the 1500 block of Rogers Street, Jones is believed to have swallowed a quantity of crack cocaine. Jones was taken to Iberia Medical Center after the incident, according to a sheriff’s office press release.

Brown said one of the arresting officers, Deputy Troy Willis, “made a big mistake” and wants the charges against Jones dropped.

“This man is innocent,” Brown said. “We have medical evidence that Mr. Jones did not have narcotics in his body, and we believe the drugs were found someplace else. It was an illegal search and seizure.”

Jones’ family declined to provide The Daily Iberian a physical copy of this medical evidence, pending approval from legal counsel.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Sid Hebert defended the actions of his deputies with respect to the April 7 incident.

“The content of the arrest reflects that there was probable cause,” Hebert said. “The court will now determine Mr. Jones’ guilt or innocence. ”

Hebert further defended the allegations that Jones swallowed the drugs, citing information from the officer’s affidavit and the official investigative report.

“By his own admission, (Jones) admitted to swallowing the drugs he had in his hand,” Hebert said. “Within proximity to him there were drugs found in a cellophane wrapper which officers believe was discarded during the attempt at detention.”

Although an attempt was made to contact Willis directly, the sheriff’s office declined requests for an interview with him.

Brown is requesting the 16th Judicial District District Attorney get involved with this case, and would like to see Willis, with respect to his sheriff’s office duties, transferred out of predominately African-American areas of New Iberia.

Brown said Willis, also known informally as “Dog,” is feared by many African American residents of New Iberia.

“He goes around terrorizing the community,” Brown said. “Some of the residents I’ve talked to say he’s very abusive and brutal.”

Hebert responded to allegations of misconduct on the part of Deputy Willis. “The case itself is being compiled and will be presented to the district attorney’s office for prosecution,” he said. “The circumstances surrounding the incident have been reviewed and the decision to prosecute, or not, will be made by the district attorney’s office. There has been no evidence to indicate improper procedure or lack of professional conduct in this case.”

Brown said fear of the police and a successful campaign against crime are incompatible.

“We hope to plan a march against fear of the police in New Iberia,” Brown said. “There needs to be a change in Iberia Parish with the sheriff’s department and the way they treat the African-American community.”

Donovan Jones and his mother, Evelyn Jones, were appreciative of the efforts made on their behalf. “I want to thank the Rev. Brown for coming out today,” Donovan said, and his mother made a statement to the same effect.