The Ramsey County Board unanimously agreed on Tuesday to pay $100,000 to settle a man’s lawsuit after he was assaulted while at the Juvenile Detention Facility by a staff member who later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

Dwight Fontae Smith pleaded guilty in October of last year to one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to 90 days, stayed for one year, in the Ramsey County Correctional Facility. He also was placed on supervised probation for one year.

According to the original complaint, St. Paul police officers responded to the report of an assault at the Juvenile Detention Center in St. Paul on or around May 15, 2023. Upon arrival, they met with the mother of the victim, who was then 16 years old, who reported that Smith had assaulted her son on May 11, 2023.

Daeshon Tucker was in the facility pending criminal trial when he and Smith had a verbal exchange as Tucker was locked in his pod, according to the county. At one point, Smith unlocked the pod’s door and took Tucker to the ground, slammed his head against the ground and put his arms behind his back. Tucker was treated for head and bodily injuries afterward, according to the county.

Smith’s employment with the county was terminated the same day and Tucker sued Smith, in his individual and official capacities, and the county. The county declined to defend Smith to the extent he is being sued as an individual and Smith is not subject to the settlement agreement.

As part of the agreement, Tucker agrees that the county will not be liable for any amount he may recover from Smith or if Smith successfully claims a right to defense and compensation.

The board approved the settlement in a closed session on July 22.

The settlement agreement $100,000 will be paid to the Law Office of Eric A. Rice Trust Account, the attorney for Tucker.

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