Lawsuit Against Jones County Sheriff
Lawsuit Against Jones County Sheriff
DESHON BAYLESS
& ANGELIA PAGE PLAINTIFFS
VERSUS 2:23-cv-59-HSO-BWR
Civil Action No. ____________________
COMPLAINT
COME NOW the Plaintiffs, DESHON BAYLESS ("DeShon") and ANGELIA PAGE
("Ms. Page"), who, by and through undersigned counsel, file this Complaint against CAPTAIN
VINCE WILLIAMS aka Seven Fingers ("Captain Williams"), DEPUTY ANDREW YATES
I. PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
This civil rights action seeks monetary damages against Defendants for past and continuing
violations of the Plaintiffs' rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and Mississippi
law. The Defendants' wrongful conduct began on January 11, 2023, while DeShon was at his Jones
County, Mississippi residence. Before his interaction with the Defendants, DeShon had never been
convicted of any criminal act. At all times relevant herein, DeShon was not engaged in any illegal
activity. The Defendants are liable for their constitutional violations and all resulting damages and
harms. The constitutional violations resulted from the policies and customs as established and
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observed by the final policymaker for the Jones County Sheriff's Department ("JCSD"), Sheriff
Berlin. The systemic abuses by the JCSD and Sheriff Berlin result from a custom and culture which
encourages, sanctions, minimizes, and protects violations of the constitutional rights of regular
citizens.
1. This action arises under the United States Constitution and federal law, specifically
under provisions of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution, 42
2. This action seeks redress for violations of the civil rights laws of the United States,
3. The claims made in this Complaint occurred and arose in the State of Mississippi,
this District, and the Hattiesburg Division. Venue, therefore, lies in this Court under 28 U.S.C. §
1391.
4. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1367, this Court also has pendent jurisdiction to hear state law
claims.
5. Plaintiff, Deshon Bayless, is a natural person and a citizen of the United States and
6. Plaintiff, Angelia Page, is a natural person and a citizen of the United States and
Jones County funds and operates the JCSD, the primary law enforcement agency for Jones County.
On information and belief, the policy maker for the Jones County Sheriff's Department is Sheriff
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Joe Berlin, who took office on January 6, 2020. This Defendant may be served through its
registered agent, Chancery Clerk Bart Gavin, at 415 N. 5th Avenue, Laurel, MS 39441.
8. Defendant SERGEANT JAKE DRISKELL is and was at all times relevant to this
Complaint a natural person and a Jones County Sheriff's Deputy and may be served with process
at 419 Yates Avenue, Laurel, MS 39440. He is sued in his individual and official capacity.
9. Defendant CAPTAIN VINCE WILLIAMS is and was at all times relevant to this
Complaint a natural person and a Jones County Sheriff's Deputy and may be served with process
at 419 Yates Avenue, Laurel, MS 39440. He is sued in his individual and official capacity.
10. Defendant DEPUTY ANDREW YATES is and was at all times relevant to this
Complaint a natural person and a Jones County Sheriff's Deputy and may be served with process
at 419 Yates Avenue, Laurel, MS 39440. He is sued in his individual and official capacity.
11. Defendant DEPUTY CHASE SMITH is and was at all times relevant to this
Complaint a natural person and a Jones County Sheriff's Deputy and may be served with process
at 419 Yates Avenue, Laurel, MS 39440. He is sued in his individual and official capacity.
12. Defendant SHERIFF JOE BERLIN is and was at all times relevant to this
Complaint a natural person and the Sheriff of Jones County, Mississippi and may be served with
process at 419 Yates Avenue, Laurel, MS 39440. He is sued in his individual and official capacity.
13. Defendant DOE DEPUTIES 1-6 are any others who participated in the wrongful
conduct but whose names and specific involvement are currently unknown to the Plaintiffs.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
14. DeShon's mother, Angelia Page, owns the home at 4737 University Avenue,
Laurel, MS 39440. The house had a Ring camera system at all times relevant to this Complaint.
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15. On January 11, 2023, Ms. Page and DeShon lived in this home.
16. At approximately 5:15 pm, DeShon was in his parked car behind his house. Captain
Williams, Deputy Yates, and Deputy Smith entered the residential property and began looking into
18. Then, without reasonable suspicion or any other lawful basis, and although DeShon
posed no danger to anyone, Deputy Yates ordered DeShon out of his vehicle. DeShon immediately
complied with this order and calmly exited his vehicle with his hands up.
19. Without first ordering Deshon to get on the ground, Deputy Yates grabbed DeShon
and, while throwing him to the ground, yelled, "Get your mother fucking ass on the ground when
I tell you to." While DeShon was on his back, Deputy Yates violently forced him onto his stomach.
20. There was no legal basis or justification for ordering DeShon to the ground or
21. Once DeShon was lying on his stomach, Deputy Yates got on top of him.
22. Then without consent or lawful authority, Deputy Yates conducted a search of
DeShon's person.
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23. Captain Williams, aka Seven Fingers, then joined Deputy Yates and assisted in the
24. To show his authority and control over DeShon, Deputy Yates grabbed DeShon by
the back of the head and violently shoved his face into the dirt.
26. Then while on top of DeShon, Captain Williams insulted and belittled him.
27. Captain Williams also used his left arm to place DeShon in a chokehold. While
doing so, Captain Williams said, "Let me tell you who the fuck I am. You ever heard of "Seven
Fingers'? That's fucking me. Now, say something stupid again. You're going to jail for
28. Captain Williams arrested DeShon without probable cause and placed him in
handcuffs.
29. DeShon was taken to the Jones County Jail, where he was booked and then
30. DeShon was released the following day on his own recognizance.
31. Ms. Page showed Sheriff Berlin part of the incident footage from the Ring
camera.
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32. After viewing the video, Sheriff Berlin knew or should have known (1) that his
deputies were guilty of violating DeShon's constitutional rights and (2) that his deputies had no
33. The Defendants illegally seized Ms. Page's residence without probable cause or
exigent circumstances.
34. Sergeant Driskell and Deputy Smith did not procure the search warrant for the home
until hours later when County Court Judge Wayne Thompson signed it at 6:45 pm.
35. No probable cause existed for the issuance of this search warrant.
36. The illegal search warrant was subsequently executed, and the home was searched.
However, there was nothing illegal to be found in the home because the Plaintiffs were not engaged
37. Under Rule 4.2 of the Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure, no warrant can be
issued unless it is supported by an affidavit setting out the factual basis which supports the
conclusion that probable cause exists. For unknown reasons, the Jones County Sheriff's
Department has refused to release the affidavit that purportedly supported the issuance of the
search warrant.
38. Under Rule 4.4 of the Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure, Sergeant Driskell
was required to return the executed search warrant to the issuing court. For unknown reasons, no
39. As a result of these wrongful acts, Plaintiffs constitutional rights were violated, and
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40. All the relevant acts of Defendants, their agents, servants, and employees were
carried out under the color of state law and in their official capacity as agents of the JCSD.
41. These acts deprived Plaintiff of the rights, privileges, and immunities guaranteed to
citizens of the United States by the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments in violation of 42 U.S.C.
§ 1983.
COUNT 1
FOURTH AMENDMENT WARRANTLESS SEARCH
(Yates, Smith and Williams)
42. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees that
"[t]he right of the people to be secure in their person, houses . . . against unreasonable searches
43. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects citizens
44. Neither Deputy Yates, Deputy Smith, nor Captain Williams had a warrant or
45. Deputies entered the property and searched the inside and outside of the home.
46. This warrantless search violated the Plaintiffs' Fourth Amendment Rights.
COUNT 2
FOURTH AMENDMENT UNLAWFUL SEIZURE
(Yates and Williams)
47. DeShon had committed no offense against the laws of the United States of America,
the State of Mississippi, Jones County, Mississippi, or the City of Laurel, Mississippi.
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48. Deputies had no legal basis for concluding that DeShon was engaged in any
criminal activity when they unlawfully entered the property and seized Deshon. Accordingly,
COUNT 3
FOURTH AMENDMENT UNLAWFUL SEARCH
(Yates)
49. DeShon was not engaged in any unlawful activity while in his vehicle.
50. Deputies had no reasonable suspicion for concluding that DeShon was engaged in
51. Nevertheless, Deputy Yates searched DeShon's person without his consent.
COUNT 4
FOURTH AMENDMENT EXCESSIVE FORCE
(Yates)
53. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees that
"[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons . . . against unreasonable searches and
54. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects citizens
55. DeShon was not committing a crime when in his vehicle with the door open.
57. Deputy Yates had no reasonable suspicion to believe that DeShon had committed
a crime.
58. DeShon did not pose an immediate threat to the safety of Deputy Yates.
59. DeShon was not actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight.
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60. Nevertheless, without legal authority, Deputy Yates threw DeShon to the ground,
61. As a result of this excessive use of force, DeShon suffered emotional and
psychological distress.
62. Under these circumstances, the force used to seize and detain DeShon was
COUNT 5
FOURTH AMENDMENT EXCESSIVE FORCE
(Williams)
63. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees that
"[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons . . . against unreasonable searches and
64. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States protects citizens
65. At all times relevant herein, DeShon obeyed the orders of the Defendants, whether
lawful or not.
66. DeShon was not committing a crime while sitting in his vehicle with the door open.
67. DeShon had not committed a crime in the presence of Captain Williams, and
Captain Williams had no reasonable suspicion to believe that DeShon had committed a crime.
68. DeShon did not pose an immediate threat to the safety of Captain Williams.
69. DeShon was not actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight.
excessive force, including a chokehold, to unlawfully seize, place in handcuffs and arrest DeShon.
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71. As a result of this excessive use of force, DeShon suffered emotional and
psychological distress.
72. As no crime or violation had occurred, any force to seize and arrest DeShon was
COUNT 6
FOURTH AMENDMENT UNLAWFUL SEIZURE
(Yates, Williams and Smith)
73. The Plaintiffs' residence was not the subject of any investigation. Nonetheless, the
74. The Defendants knew that there was no legal basis for seizing the home.
75. The Defendants did not have a search warrant when they entered the property.
76. Accordingly, the home seizure was unlawful and violated the Fourth Amendment's
COUNT 7
FOURTH AMENDMENT FALSE ARREST
(Yates and Williams)
77. DeShon had a right under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution
78. Deputy Yates and Captain Williams did not have probable cause to arrest
DeShon.
COUNT 8
FAILURE TO INTERCEDE
(Williams)
80. A law enforcement officer has an affirmative duty to intercede on behalf of a citizen
whose constitutional rights are being violated in his presence by other law enforcement officers.
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81. Captain Williams knew that Deputy Yates did not have a warrant or probable cause
to be on the property. Yet, Captain Williams did nothing to stop Deputy Yates from entering the
82. DeShon was not resisting arrest when Captain Williams joined in to arrest him.
83. DeShon had not committed a crime in the presence of Captain Williams, and
Captain Williams had no reasonable suspicion to believe that DeShon had committed a crime.
84. Yet, Captain Williams did not intervene at any point in an attempt to stop any other
COUNT 9
FAILURE TO INTERCEDE
(Yates)
85. A law enforcement officer has an affirmative duty to intercede on behalf of a citizen
whose constitutional rights are being violated in his presence by other officers.
86. Deputy Yates knew that there was no warrant or probable cause to be on the
property. Yet, Deputy Yates did nothing to stop Captain Williams from entering the property to
conduct a search.
87. DeShon was not resisting arrest when Captain Williams joined in to arrest him.
88. DeShon had not committed a crime in the presence of Captain Williams. Captain
Williams had no reasonable suspicion to believe that DeShon had committed a crime.
89. Yet, Deputy Yates did not intervene at any point in an attempt to stop any other
COUNT 10
FAILURE TO INTERCEDE
(Smith)
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90. A law enforcement officer has an affirmative duty to intercede on behalf of a citizen
whose constitutional rights are being violated in his presence by other officers.
91. Deputy Smith knew that three was no warrant or probable cause to be on the
property. Yet, Deputy Smith did nothing to stop Captain Williams or Deputy Yates from entering
92. DeShon had not committed a crime in the presence of Deputy Williams or Deputy
Yates. Neither Deputy Williams nor Deputy Yates had any reasonable suspicion to believe that
COUNT 11
FAILURE TO INTERCEDE
(Driskell)
93. A law enforcement officer has an affirmative duty to intercede on behalf of a citizen
whose constitutional rights are being violated in his presence by other officers.
94. Sergeant Driskell was approached by Captain Williams, Deputy Yates, and Deputy
Smith about obtaining a search warrant after DeShon was arrested. Sergeant Driskell was informed
95. Sergeant Driskell knew there was no probable cause to enter the property, search
the home, and obtain a search warrant. Yet, Sergeant Driskell did nothing to stop Captain Williams,
Deputy Yates, or Deputy Smith from arresting DeShon or obtaining a search warrant to search the
home.
COUNT 12
FAILURE TO INTERCEDE
(Berlin)
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96. Sheriff Berlin is responsible for the unwritten practices and customs of the JCSD,
which includes the overall culture of the JCSD and whether that culture respects constitutional
97. The arrest affidavit used to justify DeShon's arrest was not prepared until the
98. According to the arrest affidavit, "[w]hile executing a search warrant on his
residence [DeShon] was given commands to exit a vehicle parked in the yard, Bayless ignored
commands given and physically resisted Deputy Yates when asked to exit the vehicle."
99. Sheriff Berlin knew or reasonably should have known that the arrest warrant
100. Sheriff Berlin knew or reasonably should have known that no warrant had been
issued when DeShon was arrested. DeShon did not ignore commands.
101. Sheriff Berlin knew or reasonably should have known that DeShon did not
102. The arrest affidavit commenced the criminal action against DeShon for disorderly
conduct.
103. With Sheriff Berlin's approval, the JCSD has continued to pursue the charge of
104. On April 20, 2023, the charge against DeShon was tried in the Justice Court of
105. The day before this trial, a supplemental report in support of the charge was
prepared and produced by the JCSD. Sheriff Berlin knew and approved of this supplemental report
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106. Sheriff Berlin knew or reasonably should have known that the supplemental report
107. With the approval of Sheriff Berlin, three JCDC deputies testified against DeShon
108. The deputies who testified at trial were (1) Sergeant Driskell; (2) Deputy Yates;
110. As a result of the testimony by these three deputies, DeShon was wrongly convicted
111. To protect his rights, DeShon had to hire attorneys to defend him against this charge
112. At no point after the arrest of DeShon did Sheriff Berlin intercede to have the false
charge against him dismissed. Under these circumstances, Sheriff Berlin is liable for violating
COUNT 13
MONELL CLAIM
113. On information and belief, the JCSD has a custom and culture of violating the
constitutional rights of others. Though not a written policy, this custom was so widespread as to
114. None of the JCSD deputies on the scene had body cameras.
115. The JCSD has a history of wrongfully tolerating, condoning, and encouraging
constitutional violations. As a result, the custom and culture at the JCSD is for the JCSD to protect
its deputies when they violate the constitutional rights of others, and where the JCSD only
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disciplines deputies, if at all, when their actions are exposed by third-party video, making the
116. The JCSD has a history of fabricating material facts against arrestees and victims
of excessive force.
117. The JCSD has acted with deliberate indifference to a pattern of past occurrences of
constitutional violations of citizens such that its deputies feel empowered to act with impunity.
118. These customs and practices are the moving force behind the violations of the
119. Plaintiffs are aware of five (5) previous occurrences where the JCSD violated the
and simple assault on Monterian Dotson. Sheriff Berlin stopped the assault when he realized he
was being observed. Sheriff Berlin slammed Mr. Dotson on a woman's truck, and she yelled at
121. OCCURRENCE 2 – In September 2022, Sheriff Berlin entered the football locker
room at South Jones High School and unlawfully seized and assaulted a ninth grader. Charges
122. OCCURRENCE 3 – On February 13, 2020, a mom was falsely arrested by the
JCSD while in her home. She was then left in jail from February 13, 2020, to February 15, 2020.
She was never allowed to see a judge. The JCSD sent her mugshot to the local newspaper advising
that she had been charged with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. The
local newspaper published her mugshot with the caption that she had been charged with possession
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of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. However, Ms. Hayes was never charged, and no
Xtreme Fitness when he assaulted James Mitchell and falsely arrested and charged Mr. Mitchell
with various criminal acts when the video from the gym showed Captain Williams as the aggressor.
124. OCCURRENCE 5 – JCSD Reserve Deputy Charles Ryan Walters shot Corey
Donald in the back and kicked him in the head, causing his death. While the investigation was
being handled by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Sheriff Berlin gave statements to the
media that Corey Donald was shot because he reached for Deputy Walters' gun. However, the
video obtained by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation contradicted Sheriff Berlin's version of
events.
125. Sheriff Berlin has never taken corrective action to fix the culture within his
V. DAMAGES
126. The Defendants are liable to the Plaintiffs, jointly and severally, for all wrongful
127. Based on these facts and circumstances, and as a direct result of said acts and
omissions, one or both Plaintiffs have suffered damage to reputation; past physical pain and
suffering; past, present, and future emotional distress; medical bills and other financial losses.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs request a JURY TRIAL, and that after a jury trial that a judgment
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6. Any other further relief as the Court deems just and appropriate.
Of Counsel:
Matthew W. Lawrence (MSB# 105958)
525 N. Main Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(408) 605-8473
[email protected]
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2:23-cv-59-HSO-BWR