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Complete Forecast for  Jul 07 2008

By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer

HENDERSON — A former Rusk County Sheriff’s top deputy has been arrested again.

Daniel “Dusty” Oscar Flanagan, 37, Henderson, turned himself in early last week on an official oppression charge and was released the same day on a personal recognizance bond.

The charge stemmed from the alleged sexual harassment of a female deputy who was under Flanagan’s supervision when he was the chief deputy.

An indictment returned against Flanagan stated he made unwanted sexual advances toward the victim and told her that her job could be jeopardized if she did not accept his advances.

Flanagan and former Lt. Johnny Leon Davidson Jr. have both been convicted of assaulting and injuring a prisoner while in the Rusk County Jail.

Flanagan, who is expected to begin serving a federal prison term later this month, turned himself in last Monday on the new charges.

According to prior testimony, Davidson arrested Shawn Wright on an outstanding warrant and took him to Flanagan’s office for an interview with the former chief deputy and another officer.

Davidson admitted to grabbing Wright and hitting him in the face.

Flanagan then threw Wright to the ground, jumped on him and kneed him in the back.

Wright was picked up from the floor and placed back into the chair. He was later taken to the jail.

“I also admit I took photographs of the officer area where the assault occurred and wrote a fraudulent report regarding the incident,” Flanagan stated in court documents. “The report and photographs were never filed or submitted as part of the official investigation.”

Davidson stated he wrote a fraudulent report on the incident.

Another officer involved was never charged. Wright was taken to jail after the assault.

An additional civil suit for sexual harassment, sex discrimination and retaliation was filed by a former Rusk County peace officer. Flanagan, Davidson and Rusk County Sheriff Glen Deason were named defendants.

Officials have said the reason Flanagan was arrested on the sexual harassment case is because while acting in his role as a peace officer he officially oppressed the female victim.

Staff Writer Casey Knaupp contributed to this report.