A man who was allegedly choking his 9-year-old daughter was stopped by a private citizen Saturday before police arrived and arrested him.
Japhus Briggs, 58, of Ruston was arrested Sept. 27, after Ruston Police officers responded to 911 calls of a man on top of a young girl with a bystander attempting to restrain him.
At about 6:15 p.m., police arrived in the 300 block of East Georgia Avenue in Ruston and attempted to take Briggs into custody. According to an officer’s report, Briggs actively resisted by concealing his hands beneath his body and refusing repeated commands. During the struggle, Briggs attempted to bite an officer.
After continued resistance, officers were able to safely secure Briggs in handcuffs with the assistance of additional personnel and a TASER. Ruston Fire Department personnel evaluated him on scene before transporting him for further medical clearance.
Witnesses reported Briggs had placed his daughter in a chokehold prior to police arrival. A bystander intervened when the children asked him for help. The man freed the child and held Briggs until officers arrived.
Three juvenile victims were identified and assessed at the scene. All three were later taken to Northern Louisiana Medical Center for further evaluation. The investigation confirmed that Briggs, the father, battered all three of his children during the incident.
Following medical clearance, Briggs was transported to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked for three counts of cruelty to juveniles, two counts of resisting an officer, and battery on a police officer.
In a press release, the Ruston Police Department commended the courageous actions of the bystander who intervened, likely preventing further harm to the child before officers arrived.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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