He Said/She Said Felony Assault

Video of Beating Leads to Arrest

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – A video which first appeared on Facebook on Friday, March 9, has led to the arrest of a suspect for assaulting a disabled individual.

An affidavit of probable cause filed on the matter indicated a complainant came by the Crockett Police Department “… to report that her disabled brother was assaulted by a female known as Justine (legally identified as Justin Nauls.)”

The affidavit indicated the complainant showed Crockett Police Detective Leea Price “… a Facebook video that shows Justin – aka Justine – hitting (the victim) with a metal cane in the head and arms. (The victim) attempts to block the hits by putting his hands up to protect himself but is not able to, due to the severity of the attack.”

The complainant reported her brother is disabled and does not have full use of his legs and as a result was unable to get up from the chair he was sitting in to fight back or flee the scene.

“After being knocked out of the chair he was sitting in, the assault continued, and (the victim) was struck and drug around for some time,” Crockett Police Lt. Clayton Smith stated in a press release on the incident.

While the victim was on the ground, the video depicts a female – later identified as LaQuisha Johnson –   pouring a beer on the victim while he was on the ground.

According to Smith, CPD has obtained an arrest warrant for the arrest of Johnson on charges of assaulting a disabled individual. The police are also seeking to identify the person who recorded the incident but failed to report it.

The video depicted Nauls walking back over to the victim after he has been doused with beer and saying, “‘Kill me, (expletive deleted)? You said you was gonna kill me, (expletive deleted.)’ Justin then begins to hit the victim with his closed fists in the head. There are times when Justin slaps (the victim) with an open hand in the head, as well. Justin then begins to step on the victim’s back and attempts to stand on him. At the end of the assault, Justin says, ‘I’m tired of you disrespecting me. I done told your (expletive deleted) when you disrespect me again, I’m gonna get yo (expletive deleted,’)” the affidavit stated.

As the investigation continued, Det. Price received a phone message from Nauls “… in reference to him assaulting a guy that may be disabled because the guy had been threatening him for the past eight months.”

Later that same day, Price met with the victim who advised the detective he didn’t like Nauls “… because he tried to flirt with him on Facebook one time and (the victim) found out he was a guy and not a girl.”

The victim further advised Price he had a friend who was raped in prison and doesn’t want to associate with anyone like that. He also informed the detective “… he was helpless during the attack because his legs wouldn’t work. (The victim) advised that he did not make threats towards Justin and has only said stuff about him being gay.”

Nauls was arrested and charged with assaulting a disabled individual – a third degree felony – and is being held on a $20,000 bond.

According to Section 12.34 of the Texas Penal Code, “An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 10 years or less than two years. In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.”

In an e-mail from Det. Price it was reported Johnson was apprehended when she showed up for her probation appointment late Tuesday afternoon.

Will Johnson may be reached via e-mail at [email protected].