A former East Lake Courts resident leader is being evicted and faces criminal charges after being accused of assaulting a Chattanooga Housing Authority officer.
Deborah Henry said the charges are fabricated because housing officials see her as a troublemaker.
"It's wrong for them to take my integrity away from me," said Ms. Henry, a 10-year East Lake Courts tenant.
She is charged with assault for allegedly hitting CHA public safety investigator H. White and threatening a resident. She has a court date July 21.
In a written statement, Ms. White said she went to Ms. Henry's apartment to talk with her about a complaint from another resident.
"I told Ms. Henry-Jackson she was being arrested for simple assault. I tried to cuff Ms. Henry-Jackson and she resisted. During the struggle Ms. Henry-Jackson hit me in the face with her fist," the statement said.
Ms. White and CHA officials declined comment.
Ms. Henry said she once was married, and some records still list her as Henry-Jackson.
Ms. Henry spoke out in 2009 after CHA police officers shot 15-year-old Alonzo O'Kelley Jr.
In 2008, she was removed as corresponding secretary of the East Lake Courts Resident Association despite 60 resident signatures asking that she remain.
Ms. Henry said she was removed because she told residents more than housing authority resident leaders wanted them to know.
East Lake Courts resident Alexandria Ayers said the charge doesn't match what she has seen of Ms. Henry's character.
"That's crazy," said Ms. Ayers, who lives near Ms. Henry. "She's a good person and she does what she can to help out people, especially elderly people."
In 2007, more than 40 children from East Lake Courts participated in a soccer camp at the DuPont complex in Hixson because of Ms. Henry, said Bobby Paris, former president of the Dogwood Manor Resident Association and camp co-founder.
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