While the man was complying with further police commands, Villanueva approached the man and punched him in the face and Inman tackled the man to the ground. The appropriate departmental administrative actions will be taken, he said. The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. Bongiovanni ordered the government to turn over to the defense the names of any witnesses and victims so there wasnt any confusion. Villanueva also faces charges in connection to another incident in which he allegedly pepper sprayed a defendant in a holding cell. The false records counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. In re Villanueva. 11 Powerful Images At The Womens March 2018, Your email will be shared with newsone.com and subject to its, Every Receipt Proving Candace Owens Is A Con Artist Who Is Following The Money, Celebrating The Black History Of Memorial Day, Never Forget: Obamas Tan Suit Media Firestorm Was 7 Years Ago Today. You already receive all suggested Justia Opinion Summary Newsletters. Former officer Anthony Villanueva and current officer Drew Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon. Villanueva appealed his firing to the states Office of Administrative Law (OAL), which in May 2019, following testimony against him from fellow officers, upheld the termination. Inman and Villanueva then punched the man numerous times, while he cried out in pain, and told officers, stop hitting me in my face, and youve got my hands.. Inman was arrested at the Trenton Police Station Tuesday morning and is now suspended. Villanueva also faces three civil lawsuits from Washington, Singletary, and Salaam Felton. Suicide Note Revealed After Shocking Death, Indicted! TRENTON, N.J. Two Trenton police officers have been charged with civil rights and obstruction of justice charges for allegedly assaulting a man they were arresting, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today. But they will be back in court Wednesday morning where both men are expected to plead not guilty and go to trial later this year. It was not immediately clear if that charge was dropped. Get free summaries of new New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division - Unpublished Opinions opinions delivered to your inbox! The arresting departments are noted: Coweta County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), Chattahoochee Hills Police Department (CHPD . You can explore additional available newsletters here. Inman and Villanueva returned to the police station to prepare reports in connection with the victims arrest. She sounded indignant as she discussed her decades-long struggle to help clients who described being beaten up and abused by TPD officers. Inman is still on restricted duty and Kieffer III is on the streets. Villanueva and Inman, their hands shackled in front of them, appeared Tuesday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni. Trenton Police Officer Drew Inman and ex-officer Anthony Villanueva are accused of assaulting a man who was complying with their demands. They cannot travel outside of the U.S., must surrender passports and firearms and avoid contact with victims and witnesses in the case, and with each other, when theyre outside the presence of their attorneys. Villanueva is charged with two counts of obstruction while Inman is charged with one count of obstruction in connection to the incident. Theres no evidence that he was punched at that side of his face.. You're all set! Police Department Kanifah M. Wood, Trenton Police Department Eric W. Woodrow, West Windsor Police Department. His report on that incident included a number of false statements in an attempt to hide his unlawful conduct and improper treatment of the prisoner, authorities said. FAX: 856-968-4917 Jan. 28, 2021) From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research. (Image via YouTube) TRENTON, NJ - Two Trenton police officers have been arrested by. TRENTON A Trenton police officer and a former colleague accused of assaulting a man during an arrest have pleaded not guilty to civil rights violations and obstruction of justice charges. A New Jersey appeals court has affirmed the 2018 firing of a Trenton police officer terminated for pepper spraying a suspect inside a jail cell. 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Both men are charged with aiding and abetting one another to deprive a man of his civil rights. Villanueva was fired last summer after repeated instances of excessive force, and three of his accuser have since filed suit against him and the department. Attorney Robin Lord is seeing her client Chanzie Washington's claims of police brutality vindicated. Trimboli & Prusinowski, LLC, attorneys for respondent City of Trenton . Inman and Villanueva were two of the officers caught on tape appearing to throw blows after Washington surrendered following a wild foot chase through the city. A Trenton police officer and a former colleague accused of assaulting a man they were arresting have both been charged with obstruction of justice and violating the man's civil rights Skip to content Sunday, December 25, 2022 Enter the name of a police department or an officer: Press to expand search. Search the most comprehensive statewide database of police use of force in the U.S. Villanueva, who was standing on the same side of the chain-link fence, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, the feds alleged. TPD Officer Drew Inman, center, was caught on tape punching a suspect in the face while other cops placed him in cuffs. The department found Villanueva violated policy, and charged him internally with conduct unbecoming a public employee and misconduct for the improper use of the spray, and later submitting a false report about the incident. They cannot resort to excessive force in performing their duties. Villanueva was fired in June 2018 and was in the process of fighting to get his job back. Trenton, GA Cureton , Phillip Lebron 2/15/1977 9846 W Ridge Trail Rd - Soddy Daisy, TN Curington , Jessica Lee 9/28/1979 Villanuevas charges also related to his macing of a suspect in police lockup in 2017, according to the six-count indictment. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The charges carry up to 10 and 20 years in prison, respectively, and a maximum $250,000 fine if the cops are convicted, the feds said. The false records counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Villanuevas attorney, Jerome Ballarotto, insists his client didnt punch the man however. 10, 2022 - 4:46 PM. Surrounded by police officers, Washington complied when told to raise his hands, according to authorities. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Mayor Reed Gusciora said he was made aware of the arrests but declined to comment beyond that. Villanueva and Inman knowingly made numerous misrepresentations, false statements and omissions in an effort to portray Victim 1 as the aggressor and an ongoing threat, the indictment says. The lawsuit, brought by attorneys Robin Lord and Clifford Bidlingmaier, was filed in state court March 29, more than a year after Singletarys encounter with the troubled ex-cop. Body cam footage obtained by NBC10 shows the man on the ground and crying out in pain while officers are on top of him. Inman, who is the son of Hamilton cop Daniel Inman, was later caught on bodycam bragging about the vicious assault saying that he beat the sh** out of Washington, then another officer pointed to his bodycam to cut him off. The video shows a fence separated Washington from most of the officers, who had their guns trained on him. Villanueva described it this way in a report after he said he told Singletary he needed to end the phone call: As I began to walk toward Singletary, he immediately began to tense up. Investigators say Inman and Villanueva prepared and submitted false and fraudulent reports in order to justify their actions and portray the man as the aggressor and an ongoing threat. On appeal from the New Jersey Civil Service . I never want to be maced again in my life, Singletary previously told this newspaper. Man In Easter Bunny Suit Involved In Florida Brawl Wanted In New Jersey For Car Burglaries. The video includes body cameras from three officers, but not from Villanueva or Inman. Stephen Varn, who is serving as acting police director while Lt. Chris Doyle is on vacation, confirmed Inmans arrest at TPD headquarters. Anthony Villanueva leaves the federal courthouse in Trenton in this April 2019 file photo. The Trenton Police Department has punished a number of officers accused of conduct unbecoming a public servant since the turn of the century, culminating with the recent firing of patrol. Incidents like these erode the publics confidence in law enforcement, and make policing harder for everyone whose job it is to keep our communities safe., Civil Rights violations are of great concern, particularly when the allegations involve a member of law enforcement, FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie said. Villanueva and Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday. He didnt have a flashlight. TRENTON A Trenton police officer and a former colleague accused of assaulting a man during an arrest have pleaded not guilty to civil rights violations and obstruction of justice charges. with assault on a police officer, which required that Q.S. As the cell door began to close and was almost shut, Villanueva sprayed the chemical agent inside. Villanueva went back to headquarters to help process Washington. The man who the officers arrested is no longer in jail and his eluding and obstruction charges were later dropped. Thats not what this was.. Swung his arm around his neck and brought him to the ground, he said. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. All rights reserved, Philly POPS Musicians Disappointed' by Recent Moves, Trump Supporters Get Parole in Philadelphia Weapons Case, Check Your Change! Villanueva has several other issues pending from his four years on the Trenton police force, which all occurred in 2017. Former Trenton police officer Anthony Villanueva, left, when he graduated from the police academy in a 2015 file photo, and Trenton police officer Drew Inman, right, at his graduation. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Inman, who was creeping from behind, tackled Washington to the ground as both officers repeatedly punched him while he screamed out in pain, Stop hitting me in the face, and youve got my hands, according to the indictment. In a rare interview with a former cop still facing criminal charges for alleged use of excessive force, NJ Advance Media spoke to Villanueva who said he stands by his actions and followed his. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the communitys confidence.. Inman is not charged in the Singletary incident. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Villanueva came up from Washingtons side and punched him in the face while Inman tackled him to the ground. He didnt have a baton. The former officer and his attorney, George Dougherty, then went to the state courts Appellate Division, which on Thursday sided with the OAL judges 40-page decision. Villanueva, who graduated from the police academy in 2015, was caught on tape pummeling Washington as he stood with his hands up near a chain-link fence as Inman and Kieffer joined in the clash. Accountability starts from the top.. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: On April 9, 2017, a Trenton man involved in a routine traffic stop fled in his vehicle and then on foot and was pursued by Trenton police officers. Singletary picked up a bed mat to shield himself from the mace, pushing past the cop as he ran toward the detention area, before he was finally retained and handcuffed. Have a question about Government Services? Racist Ex-University Of Kentucky 'Karen' Sophia Rosing Is Charged For Assaulting Black Student, Mississippi Cops Beat, Waterboarded Handcuffed Black Men, Shot 1 For Dating White Women': Lawyers. The man was eventually surrounded by the officers and complied when he was ordered to put his hands in the air, officials said. Aerotek Mark Anthony Villanueva DOCKET NO. I snuck up from behind him and just punched him, he just fell, Villanueva says, mocking Felton by quoting him, You didnt got to punch me man.. Officers try to subdue Quaree Singletary during a lengthy struggle in police lockup. The indictment also recounted Villanuevas Nov. 28, 2017 encounter with Quaree Singletary inside TPD headquarters. Video of the incident showed Singletary strolling unaccompanied down the hall leading to the jail cells and entering the cell. The Singletary incident was included in a federal civil rights case the U.S. Attorneys Office brought against Villanueva and Trenton police officer Drew Inman. Mar. Villanueva argued in his appeal, among other arguments, that the OAL erred by finding that he violated state policy on using pepper spray, and Trenton police failed to conduct an adequate investigation before terminating his employment. California residents do not sell my data request. Trenton attorney Robin Lord represents Washington, Singletary and a third man, Saalam Felton, in separate lawsuits. Officer Drew Inman and former officer Anthony Villaneuva face six counts of civil rights violations and obstruction of justice in the arrest of suspect Chanzie Washington in 2017 and Quaree Singletary in 2017. The indictment says Villanueva also lied on his report, a copy of which was obtained by this newspaper, intending to impede, obstruct, and influence the investigation. The violation of civil rights counts each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. On April 9, 2017 in Trenton, New Jersey, Chanzie Washington allegedly led cops on a car chase and then ran on foot. Felton said in suit that he was beaten so badly during his arrest he suffered bleeding on the brain and other injuries. The unsecured bonds didnt require the cops or their families to plunk down cash or property to secure their releases, but they are required to show up for arraignment Wednesday morning. The incident was caught on body camera. Family members and supporters sat stoically at the back of the courtroom; they declined to comment on the governments case against their loved ones, letting the attorneys to the talking after the hearing. Singletary, describing the horrible burning pain he experienced after getting maced, explained he asked to go to the hospital but was instead given water to flush out his eyes and throat. This is not a Rodney King situation, he said. Villanueva maced Singletary while he was inside a cell after a dustup that started when, the cop claimed, Singletary refused to get off the phone. EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Valley Forge Military Academy Cadet Speaks To CBS3 About Alleged Verbal, Physical Abuse At Hands Of Students. Without issuing any warning or command, defendant Villanueva moved swiftly towards victim 1 and punched victim 1 in the face, the indictment states. Her first official day isnt till May 1. On Nov. 28, 2017, Villanueva pepper sprayed a prisoner who was confined to a holding cell at Trenton Police Headquarters, according to authorities. Singletary has said he was visited by fed who wanted to know more about the altercation with Villanueva. Villanueva filed a written report later that night setting forth his account of what happened next. ANTHONY VILLANUEVA, CITY OF TRENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. He only had three things. Ballarotto said his client cooperated with the feds and testified at an administrative law hearing. Dougherty believes the city made a pile of mistakes investigating Villanueva, including not interviewing his client or his supervising sergeant. Inman and Kieffer III are white and Villanueva is Hispanic. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. That decision was then adopted by the states Civil Service Commission. The videos showing a now-fired Trenton police officer punching and tackling a man with his hands up and pepper-spraying another man in a locked jail cell dont lie, but Anthony Villanueva contends they dont tell the whole story. Trenton police officers chased him down. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the community's confidence.. All the charges against Felton were later dropped. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A Trenton police officer and a former colleague accused of assaulting a man they were arresting have pleaded not guilty to civil rights and obstruction of justice counts. The federal case against them was initially scheduled for trial in 2020, but has been repeatedly postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. I believe that if my client gets a fair hearing he wont be charged.. Its inbred in the academy. Sign up for NewsOne's email newsletter! Yo, why would you do that, he recalled saying. Please enter valid email address to continue. The charges and accusations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and Inman and Villanueva are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Footage from the incident that was obtained by The Trentonian via public records request can be seen below. Villanueva was fired by Trenton police last summer for an alleged pattern of excessive force.
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