A Dumas police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting an inmate earlier this month.
The officer, Nathan Donaldson, is no longer with the department, according to Dumas Police Chief Keith Finch.
Finch released the following statement about the incident this week:
“On January 2, 2025, I Chief Keith J. Finch, was advised of an incident involving an officer of the Dumas Police Department and an inmate brought into the Dumas intake area. An Internal Affairs Investigation was launched, and the process of evidence collection was started. The officer involved was placed on administrative leave. Upon completing an administrative hearing on January 10, 2025, a case file was compiled and sent to the 10th Judicial Prosecutor for criminal review and filing of any applicable violations of the law. On January 21, 2025, the 10th Judicial prosecutor advised me of his findings. As a result of this investigation, the following has occurred: the officer involved in the incident is no longer an officer with the Dumas Police Department. The officer involved has been charged with aggravated assault and battery 3rd degree. I would like to thank the citizens of Dumas for giving us time to investigate this matter. I pray we can continue to work towards a better Dumas together. Due to ongoing legal proceedings. No further statements will be made in regards to this incident.”
District prosecutor Frank Spain, Prosecuting Attorney Tenth Judicial District, charged Donaldson on January 21 for allegedly putting his hand around an inmate’s throat during the Jan. 2 intake.
The charges include aggravated assault, which “impedes or prevents respiration or another or circulation of another person's blood by applying pressure” and battery-III.
Donaldson is set to make an appearance in Desha County Circuit Court in February.
According to KARK 4, the incident started when a man was arrested for allegedly hitting a parked car while intoxicated.
The Dumas Clarion has chosen to not identify the suspect at this time.
A video of the incident has since been released and reviewed by The Dumas Clarion and KARK 4.
In the video, Donaldson and the man who was arrested appear to exchange insults as the officer removed the man’s handcuffs. Shortly afterward, the man appears to be pushed onto a bench while one of Donaldson’s hands appears to be close to the suspect’s neck area. The man claims he was choked by Donaldson. The next day, he filed a complaint, and the officer was placed on administrative leave during the investigation.
Finch could not confirm to The Dumas Clarion as of press time whether Donaldson was terminated or if he resigned.
