Jago Times "English Edition" Best Online Newspaper
Two employees of Tarrant County Jail have been indicted for murder in connection with the death of inmate Anthony Johnson Jr., according to a statement from the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office released Friday morning. Detention officers Rafael Moreno, 37, and Lt. Joel Garcia, 48, were each indicted on a murder charge by a grand jury on Tuesday.
Johnson’s death, which was determined to be a homicide by the county medical examiner, occurred during an altercation at Tarrant County Jail in April.
Sheriff Bill Waybourn expressed, “The wheels of justice continue to turn in this case. I said from the beginning that we hold accountable anyone responsible for Mr. Johnson’s death and we are doing that.”
In May, Waybourn terminated Moreno and Garcia after an internal investigation into Johnson’s death. Waybourn stated in a news conference that Moreno was dismissed for using an unauthorized technique, while Garcia was fired for permitting its use and failing to respond promptly.
However, civil service rules necessitated the reinstatement of the jailers three days after their termination, according to Waybourn.
The sheriff’s office has handed the case over to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. The Texas Rangers, operating under the Texas Department of Public Safety, are conducting an independent investigation into Johnson’s death.
Earlier this month, Daryl Washington, the attorney representing Johnson’s family, indicated to NBC 5 after meeting with the Tarrant County District Attorney that he was confident criminal charges would be filed against at least two individuals by the month’s end.