Court documents: Trooper accused of striking victim 18 times in 24 seconds

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - More details have been uncovered regarding the arrest of a Louisiana State Police Trooper in Northeast Louisiana.

30-year-old Jacob Brown was charged with one count each of Aggravated Second Degree Battery and Malfeasance in Office, stemming from an incident that happened on May 30, 2019, outside of 1500 South 3rd Street in Monroe.

The investigation began in October of 2020 after a civil lawsuit regarding the incident was filed. The lawsuit alleges that the victim, Aaron Bowman, was pulled from his vehicle after a traffic stop and beaten by multiple law enforcement officers.

The victim alleges that he suffered multiple injuries during his detention, including broken ribs, a fractured arm, and a laceration to his head. The victim subsequently received medical treatment at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe and Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe.

Documents detailing the LSP investigation into Trooper Brown say Brown arrived on the scene while the encounter was already in progress. At some point, Bowman was taken to the ground by other officers involved. The documents say Brown then hit Bowman in the head and ribs with his flashlight, using it like a baton. Documents state that Brown struck Bowman a total of 18 times within approximately 24 seconds of contact and Brown muted his audio on the camera.

Brown later told LSP investigators he was trying to gain “pain compliance” from Bowman. The investigation also calls into question Brown’s internal reporting of the incident, such as the labeling of his body camera footage. While reviewing the BWC video, investigators noted that Bowman’s resistance at that time was not aggressive towards deputies/officers.

Bowman was not arrested at the time. A warrant was obtained several days later and the victim was later arrested on charges of improper lane usage, aggravated flight from an officer, resisting an officer, and battery of an officer.

LSP investigators determined that Brown’s use of force was unreasonable, and his actions show an attempt to hide the video from review or investigation.

Also named in the lawsuit are: