An Orleans Justice Center employee is out of a job and facing criminal charges after authorities say she reopened a cell food hatch and blasted OC spray into a housing unit, all caught on camera. The confrontation reportedly started when someone inside the unit hurled a cup of water through the hatch, hitting the staffer in the face and sparking a fight among detainees.
What the Footage Appears to Show
According to WGNO, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office identified the now-former employee as Imyri Johnson. Body-camera and surveillance video reportedly show Johnson on security rounds when she reopens a food hatch and sprays a cell holding detainee Keymon Bush and another inmate. Investigators say Johnson did not follow standard operating procedure, since she did not call for backup or secure other inmates before reopening the hatch. She was fired and arrested on an allegation of malfeasance in office, according to the outlet.
Jail Problems Have Piled Up
The dust-up lands on a jail that is already under heavy scrutiny. In May, a sweep at the Orleans Justice Center turned up more than 50 bags of contraband as part of a broader security reset, an effort detailed in a jail shake-up report. Around the same time, WDSU reported that a deputy was fired and arrested after an unauthorized firearm turned up inside the facility.
The Justice Center was already on the national radar after a May 2025 mass escape that triggered state and federal reviews, according to ABC News.
Charges, Investigation and Next Steps
Investigators with the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office are now reviewing video footage that they say shows a cup of water thrown through the open hatch and striking Johnson in the face, part of an internal investigation into how the confrontation spun out. Additional criminal charges are expected against multiple inmates tied to the fight and the earlier contraband discovery, WGNO reports. Officials have not released more detail on the charging documents, and the case is still active.
What Comes Next for the Jail
Sheriff Michelle Woodfork has been pushing operational changes since taking office, with her administration publicly stressing accountability and tighter security as top priorities, according to a security overhaul report. OPSO officials say internal findings and any recommendations from prosecutors will shape future personnel moves and policy shifts once investigators finish their work.
