Ex-Detention Officer Arrested for Inmate Assault

CONROE, Texas — A former Montgomery County detention officer was taken into custody this week following an investigation into allegations that he physically assaulted an inmate inside the county jail late last year.

William D'Souza, 38, was arrested on Monday, May 20, 2024, after a months-long inquiry into an incident that occurred on December 21, 2023. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, D'Souza is accused of punching an inmate in the face during what was documented as a use of force encounter. The interaction resulted in bodily injury to the inmate.

The Sheriff’s Office stated that its Internal Affairs Division initiated an investigation the same day the incident was reported. Following the conclusion of the internal review, Sheriff Rand Henderson terminated D'Souza’s employment on January 8, 2024.

The evidence gathered by internal investigators was subsequently forwarded to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office for review. A grand jury or prosecutor-led review resulted in the issuance of an arrest warrant for D'Souza. He now faces a charge of assault causing bodily injury, which is classified as a Class A misdemeanor under Texas state law. If convicted, the charge carries a potential penalty of up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $4,000.

D'Souza was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and was subsequently released on bond. Records indicate he is awaiting further court proceedings.

In a statement released following the arrest, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the behavior exhibited during the December incident does not reflect the values of the department. The agency noted that it continually strives to uphold a professional and ethical environment within the jail facility.

This incident is the latest in a series of challenges faced by the Montgomery County Jail as it manages a high-volume inmate population. Jail administration protocols mandate that all use-of-force incidents are subject to mandatory reporting and administrative oversight to ensure that staff actions remain within the scope of state regulations and constitutional standards.

The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office has not yet released specific details regarding the upcoming trial date. Representatives for the Sheriff's Office declined further comment, citing the ongoing nature of the criminal case against their former employee.