A former Jonesboro, Arkansas, police officer was arrested on Tuesday, facing multiple charges, including felony aggravated assault, for the beating of a handcuffed inmate caught on camera.
Joseph Tucker Harris, 29, was released on a $15,000 bond after being charged with aggravated assault, filing a false report, and misdemeanor third-degree battery. Harris, who was fired from the Jonesboro Police Department in August 2023, is accused of assaulting detainee Billy Lee Coram in the back of his patrol car during a hospital transfer.
Incident Captured on Patrol Car Video
The incident occurred last year and was recorded on Harris’s patrol car camera. The footage, approximately 12 minutes long, shows Coram in a hospital gown, wrapping a seatbelt around his neck while seated in the patrol car.
After pulling the vehicle over, Harris opened the door and struck Coram multiple times in the face with punches and elbows. He also slammed the car door against Coram’s head.
According to Coram’s federal lawsuit, he had ingested fentanyl and was taken to the hospital before being transferred back to jail in Craighead County. Coram had reportedly wrapped the seatbelt around his neck in an attempt to dislodge the fentanyl he believed was still in his system.
Firing and Legal Fallout
Harris was terminated from the Jonesboro Police Department following the incident. In addition to the criminal charges, Harris is named in a federal lawsuit filed by Coram, who alleges his constitutional rights were violated during the assault.
The lawsuit, which also names the city of Jonesboro and its police chief, is scheduled for trial in May 2026. Harris’s attorney in the federal case did not respond to requests for comment. It is unclear whether Harris has legal representation for the criminal charges.
Community Reaction and Next Steps
The arrest of Harris has sparked renewed attention on law enforcement accountability in Arkansas. Advocacy groups have called for reforms to ensure similar incidents are prevented in the future.
Harris is expected to appear in court as the case proceeds, while Coram’s lawsuit continues to raise questions about the use of force and oversight in law enforcement practices.
