31-year-old Bryson ‘BJ’ Hayes, who is a Corporal at the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, was jailed Monday on an outstanding felony warrant charging him with the felony aggravated assault and strangulation of an inmate in December. DCSO Investigators turned over video surveillance of the incident to Metro Nashville Police Detectives earlier this year. Police say the video clearly shows an inmate spitting on Hayws on two separate occasions. After the second occasion, Hayes begins to punch the inmate with a closed fist and throws him to the ground, where he places him in a chokehold restraint position. The victim told investigators he had trouble breathing while being restrained with the officer’s hands around his neck. During an interview, Hayes admitted to strangling the inmate and agreed he used unapproved tactics in response to the situation. Police interviewed multiple employees who also witnessed the incident.
Nashville Sheriff Corporal BJ Hayes charged after punching & strangling inmate
