Sheriff’s office terminates, arrests jail employee

SLIDELL?– St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain announced that his office has terminated an employee at the St. Tammany Parish Jail for striking an inmate. Additionally, the former employee has been arrested and summoned for one count of simple battery.
The former employee is 29-year-old Timothy Hooker.
The incident occurred Friday, November 27 when, during mealtime, an inmate was non-compliant with meal service procedures and was removed from the service area for his non-compliance. During that process, Hooker struck the inmate in the face with his fist.
The inmate was checked by jail medical personnel and found to have no significant injuries. He was cleared to return to his housing unit.
Upon learning of the incident, the Sheriff’s office immediately placed Hooker on administrative leave and began an internal affairs investigation into the matter.
During the course of the internal affairs investigation, the case was also referred to the Sheriff’s office Major Crimes unit. A separate criminal investigation was then initiated between Covington Police and the Sheriff’s office. The findings of that investigation resulted in Hooker’s arrest.
Hooker has been on administrative leave since the incident occurred. His termination was effective immediately and he was arrested the same day.