ACLU Louisiana: Jury Finds Sheriff Deputy Inflicted Emotional Distress Upon Teenager While Filming Mother’s Arrest

By ACLU Louisiana Photos: Video NEW ORLEANS — A jury composed of citizens of the greater New Orleans area has found that a St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon Mr. De’Shaun Johnson, son of Ms. Teliah Perkins, as he filmed the violent arrest of his mother. On May 5, 2020, Ms. Perkins was violently arrested by officers Kyle Hart and Ryan Moring for a minor traffic violation she did not commit, while her son and nephew watched. Deputies Hart and Moring tackled Ms. Perkins to the ground and held their body weight on her as she told officers, “you’re choking me!” As Mr. Johnson started to record the incident on his phone, Deputy Moring stepped in front of him to prevent him from capturing the incident. Moring shoved Mr. Johnson in the chest and aimed his Taser directly at him. When Mr. Johnson objected, saying, “You can’t Tase a child,” Deputy Moring responded: “Watch me.” Since the incident, Mr. Johnson was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and received treatment as a result. During the trial, the jury heard testimony from Mr. Johnson himself, as well as Ms. Perkins, Deputy Moring, and experts on law enforcement...