Click on thumbnail to enlarge

A Caddo Sheriff’s Corrections deputy was arrested after an investigation revealed he allegedly struck an inmate housed at the Caddo Correctional Center, said Sheriff Steve Prator.       

D’Varciea Small was arrested after a fighting incident at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, September 13. Dep. Smalls, who has worked with the sheriff’s office for two years, was assigned to the Emergency Response Team at CCC and had access to all jail cells in the case of an emergency. An internal investigation revealed that Small entered the cell of inmate Brandon Devon Merritt, who was charged with killing Small’s sister, LaJah Small. Investigators say evidence reveals Dep. Small allegedly struck Merritt with his fist several times. They also say Merritt had a gunshot wound to his leg before being arrested and booked into the Caddo Correctional Center by the Shreveport Police Department.  

After the incident, Dep. Small immediately resigned from CPSO and was later arrested and charged with Simple Battery.  

This is an ongoing investigation.