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Bondman arrested in beating case

A Shreveport bondsman found himself behind bars on Wednesday after a man in his custody was brought to jail with injuries, said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.

Gregory Johnson told deputies that on November 2 he was picked up by bondsman Darren Cowthorn and another man for failing to make a $400 payment. After an exchange of words, Cowthorn handcuffed Johnson behind his back and put him in the rear seat of his truck. On the way to jail, Johnson said the other man, who was the front seat passenger, began striking him repeatedly in the face and head. Cowthorn did nothing to stop it, he said.

When they arrived at the jail, Cowthorn took Johnson inside. Deputies observed Johnson’s injuries and told Cowthorn that his prisoner needed a medical evaluation before he could be booked. Cowthorn left, taking Johnson with him. Johnson was returned home and sought medical treatment the following day.
An investigation by Caddo Sheriff’s Detective Terry Richardson identified the second suspect as Cowthorn’s cousin, Valandor Cawthorn (correct spelling), 30, of the 2900 block of Salem Drive. Both suspects turned themselves in Wednesday on warrants obtained by Detective Richardson.

Valandor Cawthorn was booked into Caddo Correctional Center for second-degree battery. Darren Cowthorn (correct spelling), 41, of the 6900 block of Quillen, was arrested for being an accessory to second-degree battery.
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