Harris County Jail faces federal lawsuit over alleged 2023 assault on inmate

Harris County Jail sued for alleged 2023 assault on inmate

A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Harris County Jail, alleging that nine officers assaulted a now-former inmate in July 2023. FOX 26's Jonathan Mejia spoke to the non-profit who is representing the woman.

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - A federal lawsuit has been filed against Harris County Jail and several of its officers, alleging a brutal assault on a then-22-year-old inmate, Anasia Smith, in July 2023. 

The lawsuit claims that nine detention officers, including multiple ranking officials, violently attacked Smith after she requested to be relieved from voluntary cleaning duties due to exhaustion.

The lawsuit and security footage were provided to FOX 26 by the Texas Civil Rights Project, a nonprofit organization representing Anasia Smith. 

Lawsuit alleges brutal assault

Harris County Jail faces federal lawsuit over alleged assault

A federal lawsuit has been filed against Harris County Jail and several of its officers, alleging a brutal assault on a 22-year-old inmate, Anasia Smith, in July 2023. The lawsuit claims that nine detention officers, including multiple ranking officials, violently attacked Smith after she requested to be relieved from voluntary cleaning duties due to exhaustion. The lawsuit and security footage was provided to FOX 26 by the Texas Civil Rights Project, a nonprofit organization representing Anasia Smith.

What we know:

The incident reportedly occurred at 1 a.m. on July 15, when Officer Paulita Franco allegedly began punching Smith in the head following a verbal exchange. 

Smith was subjected to a barrage of punches from Franco and eight other officers, who continued to strike her even as she curled into a fetal position on the floor. 

The lawsuit states that Smith was hit more than 45 times during the assault.

"It’s hard to imagine what the goal would have been to surround her, force her to the floor, punch her repeatedly, drag her across the floor, grind her face into the ground, pull her hair, her clothes," said attorney Molly Petchenik. "There’s just no legitimate explanation for that kind of behavior."

Nearly two years later, Smith continues to suffer from chronic back pain, headaches, dizziness, and depression, which have significantly impacted her daily life.

Smith is seeking compensatory and punitive damages alleging violations of her Fourteenth and First Amendment rights due to excessive force and retaliation. 

The lawsuit aims to hold the individual officers, Harris County, and Sheriff Gonzalez accountable for their actions and omissions.

Anasia Smith

‘Long-standing policy culture of violence’

Big picture view:

The lawsuit highlights a broader issue within the Harris County Jail, citing over 800 similar incidents of officer-on-inmate violence from 2020 to 2023. The jail has faced criticism from state oversight bodies, the U.S. Department of Justice, the press, and even its own leaders.

"It’s shocking, but I wish it was more shocking in a sense, because we know that what Mrs. Smith experienced was horrific and life-altering, but it also wasn't unique," Petchenik said. "This is a long-standing policy culture of violence that just pervades the Harris County Jail."

The other side:

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, who oversees the jail, has previously acknowledged the need for improved training on de-escalation techniques to prevent physical altercations. Despite these acknowledgments, the lawsuit claims that the culture of violence persists under his supervision.

FOX 26 reached out to the Harris County Attorney's Office and the Harris County Sheriff's Office for a response to the allegations.

Smith's prison experience

The backstory:

Anasia Smith, a 22-year-old who moved from New York to Houston in February 2022. She was arrested on June 27, 2023, for allegedly using a debit card without permission, a charge that was later dismissed. 

While detained at Harris County Jail, Smith maintained good behavior and was assigned as a "trustee," performing voluntary, unpaid duties such as cleaning housing units and distributing breakfast during overnight shifts. 

Exhausted by the demanding schedule, Smith attempted to resign from her position on July 15, 2023, but faced resistance from Officer Paulita Franco, leading to a confrontation as she tried to leave the unit following Officer Antondria Reece's indication that she could exit.