Officers’ actions under microscope for DA’s Office review

State Trooper Stephanie Davis said Thursday the Texas Rangers are investigating the incident caught on security cameras in the Jefferson County Correctional Facility this spring between several corrections officers and an intoxicated inmate, Lisa Hayes.

On the night of Feb. 19, 37-year-old Lisa Hayes was brought into the Jefferson County jail on four charges — one count of public intoxication, one count of harassment of a public servant and two counts of resisting arrest/transport.

While officers attempted to book her into the correctional facility, Hayes spat on Officer Raymond Sellers — who responded by repeatedly punching Hayes, knocking her to the ground while she was still in handcuffs.

As other officers separated Hayes from Sellers and brought her to a changing room, she struggled “aggressively” and was tased by Sgt. Robert Minard. Hayes was placed into a “suicide gown” in addition to restraints and put under a mental health watch.

Hayes never filed a complaint against any of the officers, but a supervisor reported Sellers to the Internal Affairs Division for excessive force. A six-member Disciplinary Review Board decided Sellers should be punished for his actions, and he took 10 days off without pay in early May.

The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office requested the investigative assistance from the Texas Rangers late Wednesday afternoon.

“This incident demands a complete review of all the evidence and the Texas Rangers are committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation,” Davis said Thursday. “Once the Texas Rangers have completed the investigation, it will be turned over the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office for review.”

Twitter: @crhenderson90