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Lawsuit accuses Louisiana police of assault in ‘torture warehouse’
Lawsuit accuses Louisiana police of assault in ‘torture warehouse’
Police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, are being sued after being accused of beating a grandmother in a so-called “torture warehouse,” a new lawsuit alleges. Baton Rouge resident Ternell Brown was detained in June; but rather than taking her to the police station, Baton Rouge police officers drove her to an unmarked warehouse, according to a 18 September lawsuit she filed. Officers referred to this facility as the “Brave Cave,” where the street crimes unit held people in custody, assaulted them, and conducted strip and body-cavity searches on them, the lawsuit claimed. Police officers wrongfully informed Ms Brown that it was illegal to have different prescription medicines in the same pill container, according to the complaint. Ms Brown, 51, was allegedly arrested on suspicion of illegal drug activity – after officers discovered a legal prescription medication in her car during a traffic stop. She was taken to the warehouse and held there for two hours, the filing states. There, officers “forced her to spread her vagina and buttocks for inspection and examined her vagina using a flashlight,” despite not having a warrant, probable cause, or consent to conduct a strip or body cavity search, the suit states. After a couple of hours, Ms Brown was released without charge. The 51-year-old isn’t the first one to flag the “Brave Cave.” Jeremy Lee, a Baton Rouge resident, was arrested in January, and police took him to the warehouse, which one officer called the “Brave Cave,” WAFB previously reported. Bodycam footage captured Mr Lee sitting in a wooden chair in what appeared to be a warehouse. There, the 22-year-old was punched and kicked – although that happened off-camera, the outlet noted. After the incident, Mr Lee “was so badly beaten that authorities at East Baton Rouge Parish Prison refused to accept him” into its custody, “insisting that Mr Lee be taken to the hospital,” according to a lawsuit he filed. He was treated for broken ribs and other injuries. After the incident, Mr Lee filed a lawsuit; in August, the city’s mayor ordered the facility’s operations to be suspended “in light of the serious allegations.” The FBI is now investigating the claims, and an officer involved in Mr Lee’s alleged “Brave Cave” assault have resigned. An attorney for Ms Brown called out Police Chief Murphy Paul at a Monday press conference. “Chief Murphy Paul, instead of bringing BRPD policy in compliance with the constitution, decided to double down and endorse what his officers were doing and to insist that the illegal strip search policy that BRPD maintains was appropriate,” said Thomas Frampton. As a result of the chief’s decision, Mr Frampton said, “countless Baton Rouge citizens have been subject to illegal, sexually humiliating strip searches.” Chief Paul was interviewed by the Washington Post, although he declined to comment on the pending lawsuits, adding that an internal investigation is underway. He did, however, address the “Brave Cave” at a news conference last month, explaining that it was a narcotics processing facility owned by the parish that had been used by the police department for “approximately 20 years.” However, up until Mr Lee’s lawsuit came out, he was unaware of the term “Brave Cave,” he said. “We made a mistake on this one,” Mr Paul told the Washington Post. “I’ve got to own that.” The police chief also addressed other accusations made in Ms Brown’s complaint. The filing claims that the Baton Rouge Police Department’s strip search policy “violates the legal standard” by allowing officers to subject non-arrestees to such searches based on an officer’s suspicion alone. The suit also accuses the department of ignoring misconduct complaints by the street crimes unit. “We’ve been pretty consistent in our discipline,” Mr Paul told the Post, disagreeing with the suit’s claims. “We’ve terminated officers for bad behavior.” To demonstrate this, he noted that two officers who were once involved in the street crimes unit were placed on administrative leave on Tuesday. He added that the department has moved operations — which used to be conducted at the warehouse — to other facilities. The police chief said that before restoring the street crimes unit, he was waiting for the internal investigation to be completed. Ms Brown is suing the Baton Rouge Police Department for unreasonable search, unreasonable seizure, Monell liability, battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, negligence, and state constitutional violations. Read More A Supreme Court redistricting ruling gave hope to Black voters. They're still waiting for new maps Louisiana moves juveniles from adult penitentiary but continues to fight court order to do so Prosecutors set to lay out case against officers in death of unarmed Black man in Denver suburb
2023-09-21 01:28
Heat and wildfires put southern Europe's vital tourism earnings at risk
Heat and wildfires put southern Europe's vital tourism earnings at risk
Greece’s resort island of Rhodes is nursing its wounds after 11 days of devastating wildfires
2023-08-05 14:53
Vote no on Joe: Southern Republicans look to nationalize 2023 governors' races by invoking Biden
Vote no on Joe: Southern Republicans look to nationalize 2023 governors' races by invoking Biden
President Joe Biden’s name isn't on the ballot in 2023
2023-10-02 12:22
'Om paramar mainamar': The incredible romance of Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness
'Om paramar mainamar': The incredible romance of Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness
Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee have said that they are separating to pursue their individual growth
2023-09-16 05:55
Adin Ross: Who is Pami Baby? Why is Kick streamer upset with Larray and wants to 'throw up'?
Adin Ross: Who is Pami Baby? Why is Kick streamer upset with Larray and wants to 'throw up'?
Adin Ross lashed out and told Larray and Pami Baby to 'find God' after watching a video of the latter
2023-06-02 15:26
With Gaza hostage deal, Biden notches up win but faces pressure for more
With Gaza hostage deal, Biden notches up win but faces pressure for more
By helping broker an Israel-Hamas deal to free hostages, US President Joe Biden has achieved a long-sought win in a war...
2023-11-23 04:54
Paige Spiranac demonstrates hole play in instructional video, unveils her Ryder Cup team predictions in 'Playing a Round'
Paige Spiranac demonstrates hole play in instructional video, unveils her Ryder Cup team predictions in 'Playing a Round'
Paige Spiranac deviated from her usual posts on Instagram and offered her followers a tutorial on two distinct approaches to playing a golf hole
2023-08-23 16:21
How to Stop Eczema From Ruling Your Dating Life
How to Stop Eczema From Ruling Your Dating Life
The most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis (AD), is defined by red, itchy skin patches that surface during allergic reactions. The patches can develop anywhere on the body, and their effect is more than skin deep: In a 2017 study, more than 80% of patients with the condition said having an eczema flare-up got in the way of their sex life.
2023-05-11 00:59
First lady Jill Biden tests positive for Covid-19
First lady Jill Biden tests positive for Covid-19
First lady Jill Biden tested positive for Covid-19 Monday, the White House announced.
2023-09-05 09:19
Palestinian militants kill 2 alleged informers for Israel and mob drags bodies through camp alleys
Palestinian militants kill 2 alleged informers for Israel and mob drags bodies through camp alleys
Palestinian officials say militants in a northern West Bank refugee camp have shot and killed two suspected collaborators with Israel
2023-11-26 00:51
Military identifies Marine Corps pilot killed in jet crash near San Diego base
Military identifies Marine Corps pilot killed in jet crash near San Diego base
The U.S. military has identified the Marine Corps pilot who was killed when his combat jet crashed near a San Diego base during a training flight
2023-08-28 03:26
'So proud of you': Fans praise '1000-lb Sisters' star Tammy Slaton's major weight loss as she poses with sister Amy without oxygen pipe
'So proud of you': Fans praise '1000-lb Sisters' star Tammy Slaton's major weight loss as she poses with sister Amy without oxygen pipe
Tammy Slaton has lost over 300 pounds since she began her weight loss surgery on '1000-lb Sisters'
2023-05-30 12:53