Man Choked By Deputies For Smiling In His Mugshot Sues (Photo)

A Texas man, Christopher Johnson, says he was choked by deputies for smiling in his mugshot. Johnson is suing the Harris County sheriff's office after two deputies allegedly assaulted him as he was being booked for suspected drunk driving last summer. 

He says he was choked for half a minute during the July 25, 2015 booking proces. 

Johnson, who says he always smiles in photos, was allegedly berated for grinning in his mugshot by a deputy who said 'Take the picture right' and 'Man, stop smiling!' 

This is how I always take my pictures,' Johnson says he replied.  Continue lol...

Next, a second deputy stepped in, and joined the first officer in choking Johnson. The bizarre mugshot shows Johnson smiling as two men hold him by the neck. 

Johnson's legal representatives say the event caused him to suffer significant pain and mental anguish. They say the incident violated Johnson's civil rights and seek compensation and punitive damages. 

A police report accused Johnson of being uncooperative, something he denies. 

In a statement to the New York Daily News, the sheriff's department said it has no policy against smiling in mugshots.