Case No. 4:25-cv-04002, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division Filed: September 4, 2025
On August 26, 2023, Steven Arthur Black was pumping gas at a Loves station in Colorado County, Texas. Officer Dalton Lee of the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office approached him and began asking questions. According to Black’s sworn complaint, Lee never stated Black was detained and never told him he was not free to leave.
Despite the absence of a lawful detention, Lt. Joshua Jones of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office prepared and filed a false probable cause affidavit to justify the arrest. A rifle used as evidence was handled by Officer Steven Krhoujak of the Smithville Police Department, who failed to maintain proper chain of custody.
Black was prosecuted in Colorado County. He is currently incarcerated at the Terrell Unit of TDCJ (ID #02557790).
Claims Against Colorado County and DA Jay Johannes #
Black filed a pro se prisoner civil rights complaint naming six defendants, including Colorado County and District Attorney Jay Johannes in his personal capacity.
Against Colorado County:
“Maintained policies, customs & practices of inadequate hiring, training, and supervision that allowed these constitutional violations to occur.”
Against DA Jay Johannes personally:
“In a non-advocacy role, pushed the case forward despite no probable cause and failed to disclose Lee’s misconduct investigation (Brady), contributing to an unfair trial and due process violations.”
“Prosecuted case despite knowing lack of probable cause.”
Black further alleges that Officer Lee fabricated a report to the Parole Board claiming Black had been shooting at officers — a charge Black was never prosecuted for. The fabricated report was submitted to affect Black’s parole status.
Significance #
This is the first case in the documented series in which Jay Johannes is named as a defendant in his personal capacity for conduct related to his role as Colorado County’s Criminal District Attorney. The allegations include:
- A Brady violation — failure to disclose evidence of the arresting officer’s prior misconduct investigation
- Prosecuting a case while knowing probable cause was lacking
- Contributing to an unfair trial through the suppression of exculpatory information
Johannes has served as Colorado County’s Criminal District Attorney since January 1, 2013.
Source: U.S. District Court S.D. Texas, Case No. 4:25-cv-04002; court filings obtained via PACER/RECAP.