On Wednesday July 3, 2019 an incident occurred in the Jeff Davis Jail where an inmate was beaten by several other inmates while in the jail cell. 

The victim of this incident, Jason Craft, 39, was booked for 1st degree rape on July 2, 2019. Craft  was transported to the American Legion Hospital for treatment and released back to correctional personnel. Craft is being held at another correctional facility for his safety.

Jeff Davis Sheriff’s office detectives initiated an investigation into the incident Wednesday July 3rd.  During the investigation inmates implicated correctional personnel were involved in the planning of the incident. 

The inmates that were involved have been questioned. The information detectives received from the inmates was corroborated by security video in the jail. The incident involved two separate bouts of battery on Craft, including an incident where hot water was thrown on his legs and feet.  

Deputy Jason Anthony Cartwright, 33, of Jennings was booked into the parish jail for Malfeasance in office and  2nd Degree Battery, for his knowledge and involvement in the planning to inflict bodily harm to the inmate. 

Deputy John Kurtz, 38, of Jennings was arrested and booked into the parish jail for Malfeasance in office for knowledge of the planning to inflict bodily harm to the inmate.

The following inmates were arrested on charges of 2nd degree battery;  John Jaman Coleman,  23, of 1406 Johnson street, Jennings,  Jordan Alexander Legros, 22, of 107 North Polk Street, Welsh, and Cody Michael Carrol, 24, of 11165 Marcantel road, Elton.

The following inmates were arrested on charges of 2nd Degree Aggravated battery; David Wade Clark, 29, of 2791 Williamsport dr, Lake Charles, Michael Lee Duplechian 25, of 835 Vatican Road, Carencro, Manson Joseph Adams, 36, of 823 Sheridan street, Jennings, and Terry Joseph Landry, 31, of 5136 Grand Marais road, Jennings.

Sheriff Woods said “the personnel involved, violated departmental policies, put in place, to ensure the safety of the inmates that are housed in the correctional facility. They were involved in the initial planning to harm an inmate; which is a criminal offense.” 

The Sheriff added,” I know it’s a difficult job to work in corrections every day,  but I will hold my employees accountable for their actions.  The duties of the correctional deputies are to maintain the safety and security of everyone within the facility.   I am very disappointed in the actions taken by these two deputies.  Both deputies were terminated this afternoon.”

Detectives consulted with the district attorney’s office on what criminal charges were appropriate. The terminated deputies are being held in a different correctional facility at this time. The investigation is ongoing.