Detention sergeant charged with battery

Detention Sergeant Charged with Battery

Bryant Brown, a former employee of the Boundary County jail, faces a charge of aggravated battery following an incident in January 2023 where he allegedly assaulted an inmate. Charges were filed in September, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for November 17 at the Boundary County Courthouse.

Brown, 37, had two earlier hearings canceled for undisclosed reasons. A $50,000 bond was set and posted, and he has not yet entered a plea.

Incident Details

In January 2023, an inmate wanted on a misdemeanor warrant from Kootenai County was arrested by Bonners Ferry Police Department. According to a probable cause affidavit by Sheriff's Detective Brandon Blackmore, the inmate was intoxicated, verbally abusive, and uncooperative with jail staff.

After a heated verbal exchange with Brown, the inmate was placed in his holding cell. Blackmore’s affidavit states that Brown shoved the inmate against a glass window and struck him with a fist, causing the inmate’s head to hit a brick wall.

The inmate reportedly tried to grab Brown’s arms in an effort to stop the attack but did not physically resist otherwise. The affidavit further alleges that Brown grabbed the inmate’s throat with both hands and slammed his head into the brick wall.

"Brown shoved the man against a glass window inside the cell and struck him with a fist, causing his head to hit a brick wall in the cell."

"Brown then grabbed the man’s throat with both hands and slammed his head into the brick wall."

Legal Proceedings

Preliminary hearing set for November 17
Two previous hearings were vacated
$50,000 bond posted
No plea entered by Brown yet

The Herald does not disclose the names of victims involved in criminal cases.

Author's Summary

This case highlights serious allegations against a former jail employee accused of physically abusing an inmate following a confrontation in 2023, with legal actions ongoing.

Bonners Ferry Herald — 2025-11-07