Arrest caught on camera leads to gun, drug charges, authorities say

OXFORD, Miss. — As Memphis grapples with its own use-of-force investigation, another arrest in the Mid-South caught on video is causing concerns.

A cellphone video circulating on social media shows a Lafayette County Sheriff deputy putting his knee on a man’s neck during an arrest Wednesday at a gas station in Oxford.

The man, later identified as Jerami Tubbs, was pulled over on his motorcycle for a traffic violation, according to the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said that the deputy had “previous interactions” with Tubbs, a convicted felon known to carry weapons.

“Based on that information and for everyone’s safety,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release, “Tubbs was told that he would be patted down before continuing.”

Tubbs did not cooperate, the Sheriff’s Office said. A struggle ensued, which was captured on video.

The footage comes as the family of Tyre Nichols waits for his arrest footage. He died three days after “confrontations” with Memphis Police on Jan. 7.

RELATED: As Tyre Nichols’ family waits for arrest footage, former police chief stresses patience

The video of the Oxford arrest shows a deputy and a backup officer with the Oxford Police Department arresting a man on the ground in front of a pump at a Marathon gas station on South Lamar Boulevard.

The deputy is seen with his knee on Tubbs’ neck while the Oxford officer holds the man’s legs.

The Sheriff’s Office said the struggle was brief, and that a firearm fell to the ground from Tubbs’ waist.

Tubbs was handcuffed, and a search of his motorcycle found “a large quantity of methamphetamine,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Tubbs was charged with speeding, no turn signal, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm.

No one was injured during the arrest, the Sheriff’s Office said.

“Oh, he slapped him and kneed him at the same time. That’s crazy,” said Richard Hariston, who watched the video for the first time Friday. “There’s a certain way to do certain things and it’s improper. It’s a total beatdown is what it was. It’s inappropriate for police to do that to anyone.”

Investigators said Tubbs was out on bond when he was arrested, but the bond was revoked.

“I’ve seen this on TV over and over and over again,” Hariston said. “To be honest with you, I’m afraid to do anything wrong myself, because I’m afraid it might happen to me. Even if I’m not doing anything wrong, you never know. It may just be the color of my skin.”