MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Two corrections officers have agreed to plead guilty to federal charges in the tragic case of a mentally ill man who succumbed to freezing temperatures, bringing the total number of jail staff accepting plea agreements in connection with the incident to eight.
According to federal court documents submitted on Monday and Tuesday, Daniel Lee Allen Brown has decided to plead guilty to a federal charge relating to civil rights violations carried out under the guise of law enforcement. Meanwhile, Megan Johnson has pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge aimed at depriving an inmate of their rights.
Both officers worked in the Walker County Jail during a two-week period when Tony Mitchell was held there. Court records indicate that the conditions leading to Mitchell’s death have been influenced by a widespread culture of retaliation against inmates who were previously accused of being violent towards law enforcement officers. Five other jail employees have already entered guilty pleas concerning their roles in Mitchell’s death, and in late October, a nurse connected with the facility also pleaded guilty.
As of now, attorneys representing Brown and Johnson have not responded to requests for comments on the situation.
Mitchell, aged 33, passed away on January 26, 2023, with his death certificate citing hypothermia and sepsis as direct results of medical neglect. His detention began on January 12, when a family member requested a welfare check due to his erratic behavior, which included claiming he had shot at law enforcement and mentioning portals to hell. Upon arrival at the jail, Mitchell was found to be disoriented and struggling with basic mobility, with his face bizarrely painted blue, as detailed in the plea agreements.
During his incarceration, Mitchell was confined to a concrete cell often referred to as the “drunk tank.” He lacked essential amenities, including bedding, a functioning bathroom, and running water. Records from earlier court proceedings portray cruel conditions: Mitchell was described as “almost always naked, wet, cold, and covered in feces” while lying on the cement floor without any mat or blanket. Over time, he became mostly unresponsive to the corrections officers.
According to her plea agreement, Johnson falsely claimed that Mitchell was “too combative” to receive medical care, thereby denying him access to a nurse. She later admitted that her misrepresentation served as a “justification for mistreatment.” Moreover, the court documents highlight a 2022 incident where Johnson noted that superiors encouraged excessive force against inmates to establish dominance. In another case, she recounted an officer proudly sharing details of assaulting an inmate attempting to escape, resulting in bloodshed.
Johnson chose not to voice any concerns regarding Mitchell’s deteriorating condition, fearing she would be perceived as “soft” and wishing to fit in with her peers, as noted in the court records.
On the other hand, Brown’s plea agreement indicates that he did express his worries about Mitchell’s treatment to a supervisor, who escalated the concerns to the shift captain. Nonetheless, when Mitchell’s conditions persisted, Brown “sought to avoid scrutiny from Jail management by aligning with those who allowed (Mitchell) to endure the harsh conditions.” The plea deal emphasizes his failure to undertake “reasonable steps” to assist Mitchell, even in the face of such dire health risks.
Both officers are scheduled to be arraigned in mid-December.