A Pine Bluff man has reached a confidential settlement with Jefferson County in a federal lawsuit alleging excessive force during a 2023 traffic stop.
According to court records, Donald Frazier Jr., also known as Donald Muhammad, and Jefferson County agreed to settle the case on June 4th.
The settlement was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas on June 12th, ending a lawsuit that had been scheduled for trial later this year.
Frazier originally filed suit in March 2023 against Jefferson County, Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr., Deputy Bradley Shell, Deputy Michael Musgrove and Lt. Samuel Baker.
The case was later moved to federal court, where an amended complaint was filed in April 2023.
The lawsuit stemmed from a Feb. 16th, 2023, traffic stop in Pine Bluff.
Frazier alleged deputies used excessive force after he fled the stop, claiming he was bitten by a sheriff’s office K-9 and subjected to multiple Taser deployments following a crash.
He also alleged he was denied access to medication while being held in custody until posting bond the following day.
In addition to the excessive force allegations, the lawsuit claimed Jefferson County failed to properly train deputies and allowed unconstitutional policies and practices related to law enforcement operations.
Frazier sought more than $100,000 in damages, but the terms of the settlement remain confidential.
Sheriff Woods said the agreement did not include an admission of fault or liability by Jefferson County.
Woods also said none of the deputies involved were disciplined and that Deputy Bradley Shell is the only defendant who remains employed by the sheriff’s office.
