Read the latest news in our coverage of the Tarrant County Jail.
A Tarrant County jailer named in a lawsuit filed in the in-custody death of Anthony Ray Johnson Jr. has resigned from his job, Sheriff’s Office records show.
Jaquavious Simmons sprayed pepper spray directly into Johnson’s mouth during the altercation that led to his death on April 21, according to the lawsuit filed by Johnson’s family. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Johnson died of chemical and mechanical asphyxiation and ruled the case a homicide.
County records show that Simmons voluntarily resigned from the jail, citing a lack of opportunities as the reason for his departure. The Star-Telegram has filed a public records request for a copy of Simmons’ resignation letter, if he submitted one.
Simmons could not be reached for comment by the Star-Telegram. Court documents do not provide contact information for Simmons or identify his attorney.
A spokesman for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office did not respond to a request for comment.
Johnson, a 31-year-old Navy veteran, had been in jail since he was arrested April 19 while experiencing a schizophrenic episode, his family and authorities said. The morning he was arrested, Johnson sought help but was turned away from WellBridge Hospital in Fort Worth, according to family members, who said they were told he could not be hospitalized because he posed no threat to himself or others.
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Police records and previous statements from authorities show that Johnson was arrested after receiving a 911 call reporting he was carrying a knife at an intersection in Saginaw.
Daryl Washington, the civil rights attorney representing Johnson’s family in the lawsuit, told the Star-Telegram that Simmons should be charged with murder along with two other prison guards who have been arrested.
“There’s a problem with the way Simmons sprayed Anthony in the mouth,” Washington told the Star-Telegram. “He’s getting away with it — they’re too quiet. What this man did is criminal.”
Jailer Raphael Moreno and supervisor Lt. Joel Garcia have been charged with murder in Johnson’s death. Moreno put his knee and weight on Johnson’s back for about 90 seconds while Johnson was handcuffed and facedown on the ground, according to partial video of the altercation. Garcia recorded some of the video on a cellphone.
Washington said that because of the chemical aspect of Johnson’s death, Simmons should also be charged. Simmons also accidentally pepper-sprayed himself.
The criminal complaint alleges that Simmons and Johnson had “words” before his death during what the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office called a routine contraband check on April 21. There is some doubt that that earlier interaction played a role in Johnson’s death.
Simmons was hired in October 2021 and rose to the rank of 3rd Corporal, according to Sheriff’s Office records.
