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By Fred Guarino

The Lowndes Signal
Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chris West was recently arrested for assault in the third degree, a misdemeanor, in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred in court in May.
According to a Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, West, 49, of Fort Deposit, was arrested on Sept. 21 for assault in the third degree and made bond.
West currently remains on active duty with the sheriff’s office.
According to Lowndes County Court Clerk’s Office, District Court Judge Adrian D. Johnson has recused himself from the case, and no date for the matter to go to court has been set.
Lowndes County District Attorney Charlotte Tesmer said she has recused herself from the case and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office is taking the case.
According to court documents, Tyanis Javon Lawrence signed a complaint against West on Wednesday, Sept. 21 for an incident that allegedly occurred on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.
He alleged that West caused him physical injury by “striking him on the left side of the head with his fist, knocking him down into a chair” then picked him up over the wall in the seating area of the courtroom “slamming him on the floor and chocking him” while he “was in handcuffs, which has resulted in Tyanis having injury to his head, neck and back.”
A warrant was issued for West’s arrest for assault in the third degree, a misdemeanor, on Sept. 21. And bond was set at $500.
The Signal was unable to contact Montgomery attorney Jacob Dubin, who is reported to be representing West in the case. But according to media reports, Dubin said he expects West to be vindicated.