He allegedly later completed an incident report that contained numerous false statements to conceal his conduct. Inman is still on restricted duty and Kieffer III is on the streets. Dougherty believes the city made a pile of mistakes investigating Villanueva, including not interviewing his client or his supervising sergeant. Enter the name of a police department or an officer: Press to expand search. Police Department Kanifah M. Wood, Trenton Police Department Eric W. Woodrow, West Windsor Police Department. Villanueva and Inman, their hands shackled in front of them, appeared Tuesday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni. Trenton, NJ. In the Trenton case, city cops Villanueva and Inman were hit in a six-count indictment that charged civilrights deprivation and falsifying police records. Villanueva also faces charges in connection to another incident in which he allegedly pepper sprayed a defendant in a holding cell. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, adopted by the states Civil Service Commission, Villanueva and Trenton police officer Drew Inman. _____ Submitted January 12, 2021 - Decided Before Judges Haas, Mawla, and Natali. Singletary and his attorneys may be banking on power in numbers. According toTrentonian,the Trenton Police Department is setting up the Hispanic cop, Officer Anthony Villanueva, as the sole fall guy and Villanueva was placed on restricted duty within a week, but Inman remained on the streets for more than a month before being placed on restriction. As of last month,Villanueva was suspended without pay. Im hopeful there will be more to come.. Villanueva and Inman were among this group. Villanueva went back to headquarters to help process Washington. Ballarotto said his client is being unfairly vilified as a rogue cop, and he believes the ex-TPDer will get cleared. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Sign up for NewsOne's email newsletter! TRENTON City police officer Drew Inman was arrested Tuesday morning by the FBI as part of an investigation targeting former and current officers over allegations of use of excessive force. Villanueva is also charged with depriving a second man of his civil rights in a separate incident, and with obstruction related to that second incident. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The indictment was unsealed on Tuesday, and they were both scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. Theres no evidence that he was punched at that side of his face.. The beginning of the videos dont include sound until after Washington is struck, so it is unclear what led the officers to tackle Washington to the ground. Quaree Singletary, of Ewing, claims he was physically assaulted by Villanueva in lockup at Trenton Police headquarters on Nov. 28, 2017, and suffers from serious bodily injuries to his brain, head, face and body.. All rights reserved (About Us). They both face more than 30 years in prison if convicted on all counts. He was also seen walking coming down the hall shaking the pepper spray as he approached Singletarys cell. The incident was caught on body camera. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Main Office: The maximum fine for each of the charges is $250,000. I believe that if my client gets a fair hearing he wont be charged.. Footage from the incident that was obtained by The Trentonian via public records request can be seen below. 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. Washington also got decked in the face by a Villanueva haymaker after he appeared to surrender to cops from behind a chain-link fence after a long chase. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. A Trenton police officer and his former colleague have pleaded not guilty to federal charges they violated a man's civil rights during a violent traffic stop. 970 Broad Street, 7th Floor Sounds likeVillanueva was under the misconception that police solidarity may is the same if you are a person of color. provided by mercer county prosecutors office, Chanzie Washington's mugshot after being arrested April 9, 2017. Inman and Villanueva returned to the police station to prepare reports in connection with the victims arrest. Scott Krasny, Inmans attorney, declined to comment. The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. 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. Villanueva has several other issues pending from his four years on the Trenton police force, which all occurred in 2017. The Newnan Times-Herald. 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. 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. 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. The counts against both officers stem from a traffic stop on April 9, 2017, in Trenton. In proceedings in the OAL and the appeals court, the judge found Villanuevas reporting on the incident was starkly different from parts of the incident caught on police security cameras. Villanueva, who was eventually fired by the city department and is fighting to get his job back, had been pulled off the streets and re-assigned to lockup following a separate altercation months before with Chanzie Washington. Trenton Police Officer Drew Inman and ex-officer Anthony Villanueva are accused of assaulting a man who was complying with their demands. Villanueva came up from Washingtons side and punched him in the face while Inman tackled him to the ground. Officers try to subdue Quaree Singletary during a lengthy struggle in police lockup. 10, 2022 - 4:46 PM. Police work is difficult and dangerous, but officers need to respect the civil rights of the people they are policing, U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. In the second incident, Villanueva is charged with depriving a man of his civil rights and obstruction of justice. The only way to eradicate the excessive abuse in the Trenton police department is by firing them all and starting all over again, she said. Anthony Villanueva and Drew Inman are charged with assault in the 2017 arrest of Chanzie Washington. Lock 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. "It's a question of respect. Inman has been with the department a little more than two years and makes more than $57,000 in annual salary. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. A locked padlock 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. The former officer, Anthony Villanueva, was. Its inbred in them. In November 2017, Villanueva fired a can of chemical spray at Quaree Singletary inside a Trenton police holding cell while the cell door was closing, and then 24-year-old Singletary was inside. Anthony Villanueva, Trenton Police Department Adam L. Wills, Pemberton Twp. Police work is difficult and dangerous, but officers need to respect the civil rights of the people they are policing, Carpenito said. The maximum fine for each of the charges is $250,000. Inman then charged at Washington and tackled him from behind, and joined Villanueva in repeatedly punching Washington in the face, according to the indictment against them. Both defendants are charged with one count aiding and abetting one another to deprive a man of his civil rights. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. (Image via YouTube) TRENTON, NJ - Two Trenton police officers have been arrested by. You already receive all suggested Justia Opinion Summary Newsletters. A six-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Trenton last week, unsealed Tuesday, charged Villanueva and Inman with deprivation of civil rights under color of law and falsifying police records. He was a good cop and still is a good cop., In a statement, U.S. attorney Craig Carpenito said cops have a difficult and dangerous, job but must perform their duties while respecting the civil rights of the people they are policing. On Nov. 28, 2017, Villanueva, who had been assigned to work in the holding cell area of Trenton Police Headquarters, sprayed Oleoresin Capsicum (commonly referred to a pepper spray) on a prisoner who was confined in a holding cell. At no time during this encounter did the plaintiff harass, or threaten the defendants, nor engage in any conduct, which in any way justified the excessive force used by defendants.. At no point during this encounter with the defendant did the plaintiff strike, attempt to strike, or intend to strike any of the defendant police officers or any other officer or the law, the lawsuit said. Trenton, GA Cureton , Phillip Lebron 2/15/1977 9846 W Ridge Trail Rd - Soddy Daisy, TN Curington , Jessica Lee 9/28/1979 He is also charged with additional civil rights and obstruction counts in connection to a separate incident in November 2017. Those cops beat the living sh** out of Rodney King, and those cops overstepped their bounds. NBC10 obtained body cam footage of the incident. California residents do not sell my data request. EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Valley Forge Military Academy Cadet Speaks To CBS3 About Alleged Verbal, Physical Abuse At Hands Of Students. Villanueva also faces three civil lawsuits from Washington, Singletary, and Salaam Felton. 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. With your experience, Im sure youre familiar with your Fifth Amendment rights, Bongiovanni said during the 10-minute court appearance. Camden:856-757-5026 Inman is not charged in the Singletary incident. FAX: 609-989-2275. See Average Property Tax Bill In Lawrence Township, Per New Data, Catholics In Diocese Of Trenton Can Eat Meat On St. Patrick's Day, Head-Shaving Event At Lawrence Restaurant To Raise Funds For Cancer, Office Furniture & Soft Seating Liquidation Sale, NJ Camp Fairs at Menlo Park Mall Mar 4, 2023 - FREE to Attend (12-3PM), Protect Your Home from Ticks with Yard Guard from Viking Pest, AMC Theatres In NJ To Base Pricing Off Where You Sit, The Poop On Free-Range Cats And Your Lawn And Garden [Block Talk]. As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. Officer Anthony Villanueva sprays Quaree Singletary with mace during a lengthy struggle in TPD lockup. On Tuesday, Villanueva was arrested by the FBI at his home. Personally, its devastating to him, Hes got a family. The indictment recounts the chase from start to finish, as Washington ended up at the banks of the Delaware and Raritan Canal. Quaree Singletary engaged in a struggle with city cop Anthony Villanueva after Villanueva abruptly ended Singletary's phone call to relatives. Each man did not speak other than to acknowledge the judge when she advised them of their right to remain silent. An arrest constitutes only the initiation of charges, and those arrested are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law. Hearing Impaired: 856-968-4983 Thats not what this was.. You can explore additional available newsletters here. His father was a police officer. That case is pending in federal court. Villanuevas charges also related to his macing of a suspect in police lockup in 2017, according to the six-count indictment. Its inbred in the academy. If you encounter them, you need to promptly notify your [attorneys]. Both Inman and Villanueva were granted unsecured bail on Tuesday, meaning they can go home. The federal case against them was initially scheduled for trial in 2020, but has been repeatedly postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Michigan Department of Corrections via AP Law enforcement officials on Tuesday named Anthony Dwayne McRae, a 43-year-old resident of Lansing, Michigan, as the suspect in the overnight shooting at Michigan State University that took the lives of three students and wounded five others. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Villanueva is charged with two counts of obstruction, and Inman with one count of obstruction, in connection with that incident. The FBI was investigating Inman, former TPD officer Anthony Villanueva, and Mark Kieffer III in connection with the April 2017 arrest of Chanzie Washington. You dont want to come back here. Full title: IN THE MATTER OF ANTHONY VILLANUEVA, CITY OF TRENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. Singletary, who also sued Villanueva and the department over his treatment that day, told the newspaper in a previous interview his eyes burned for like two, three days after he was maced. I feel that although [the arrests] are a positive step toward change, its too little too late, she said. Villanueva claimed Singletary assaulted him during a phone call from jail, then had a long struggle to get him back in a jail cell and handcuffed, forcing him to use pepper spray. 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. On Nov. 28, 2017, Villanueva pepper sprayed a prisoner who was confined to a holding cell at Trenton Police Headquarters, according to authorities. Trenton Police Officer Drew Inman, 25, of Hamilton, New Jersey, and former Trenton Police Officer Anthony Villanueva, 25, of Ewing, New Jersey, are charged in a six-count indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury on April 18, 2019, and unsealed today. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Video of the incident showed Singletary strolling unaccompanied down the hall leading to the jail cells and entering the cell. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Med. A-4302-18T3 (App. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sitting next to their attorneys, they remained quiet as U.S. assistant attorney Joseph Gribko briefly recapped the case against them. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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In re Villanueva. 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. Swung his arm around his neck and brought him to the ground, he said. The man was eventually surrounded by the officers and complied when he was ordered to put his hands in the air, officials said. All Rights Reserved. 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. One of the officers, who has since left the Trenton Police Department, is charged with additional civil rights and obstruction counts for allegedly assaulting a second defendant while in a holding cell at Trenton Police Headquarters. The sound picks up after Washington is already on the ground in the first two videos. Anthony Villanueva leaves the federal courthouse in Trenton in this April 2019 file photo. Singletary, who is no stranger to cops having been arrested multiple times, told The Trentonian in a previous interview he remembered asking Villanueva why he ended his call. My eyes burned for like two, three days.. Div. On April 9, 2017, Chanzie Washington, of Trenton, fled a routine traffic stop on foot, according to authorities. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the communitys confidence.. Thats his gun, his physical strength and his courage.. Investigators said he pepper sprayed a defendant while in a holding cell area of Trenton police headquarters. The arrest of Inman happened a day after the city introduced new police director Sheilah Coley. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. provided by mercer county prosecutors office, Chanzie Washington's mugshot after being arrested April 9, 2017. The violation of civil rights counts each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Villanueva, 25, of Ewing, and Inman, 25, of Hamilton, are both charged with one count of aiding and abetting one another to deprive a man of his civil rights. The gun-toting drug dealers in Trenton are probably throwing a party tonight since he was taken off the street. An anonymous cop from the department toldTrentonian that the police department is painting Anthony as the villain., Villanueva has hired an attorney who said,Ive already made plans to defend him on these charges, but theres no sense putting on my battle gear before the battle starts. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, Pa. Woman Went Missing in 1992 and Declared Dead. 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. TPD Officer Drew Inman, center, was caught on tape punching a suspect in the face while other cops placed him in cuffs. And then you have the old regime supervising these people. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. They punched him numerous times while Washington cried out, stop hitting me, and youve got my hands.. They cannot resort to excessive force in performing their duties. A number of officers went around to the other side of the fence, including one officer equipped with a body camera. I know its a small community, the judge told the defendants. TRENTON, NJ - Two Trenton police officers have been arrested by federal agents and charged with assault and obstruction of justice, authorities announced on Tuesday. To justify their actions against the victim, Inman and Villanueva prepared and submitted false and fraudulent reports, in which they attempted to portray the victim as the aggressor and an ongoing threat. The video includes body cameras from three officers, but not from Villanueva or Inman. Body cam footage was released of two Trenton Police officers who are accused of assaulting a man while they were arresting him even though he complied with their demands. with assault on a police officer, which required that Q.S. This is not a Rodney King situation, he said. In his report, Villanueva claimed he told Singletary he needed to end the phone call and that, As I began to walk toward Singletary, he immediately began to tense up. However, the lawsuit painted Singletary as a blameless victim. |. U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to todays indictment. Trenton Police department was aware of the the investigation and cooperated fully with federal authorities. Its inbred all over. 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. The lawsuit faults Parrey, who is no longer police director, for not flagging Villanuevas pattern of unreasonable force.. While Washington was complying, Villanueva punched him in the face. 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. Almost immediately thereafter, defendant Villanueva strode quickly down the corridor after victim 2, towards Cell 7, carrying a can of Oleoresin Capsicum, also known as OC spray or pepper spray., It goes on to say Villanueva reached through the bars and sprayed OC spray into Cell 7, while victim 2 attempted to shield himself with a mattress.. Trenton attorney Robin Lord represents Washington, Singletary and a third man, Saalam Felton, in separate lawsuits. The charges and accusations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and Inman and Villanueva are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The incident was recorded on other officers body cams. 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 training and New Jersey Attorney Generals guidelines on the use of force each time. Villanueva grabbed a bottle of mace from the detention area. Cannon , Che' Anthony Berry 10/29/1996 2105 Foust St - Chattanooga, TN Cannon , Courtney Leighann 8/15/1991 3254 Plaza Cir - Chattanooga, TN Cannon , Ira 10/20/1996 . First published on April 23, 2019 / 6:49 PM. They also took Officer Inman into custody at Trenton police headquarters. Former officer Anthony Villanueva and current officer Drew Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon. Body cam video acquired by The Trentonian shows an officer, seemingly unprovoked, punch Washington in the head and tackle Washington to the ground, where he was punched even more. TRENTON A third man who says he was beat up by fired Trenton cop Anthony Villanueva has finally filed suit against the former cop and ex-police director Ernest Parrey Jr., who is accused of not doing enough to crack down on rogue cops. He didnt have a taser, he said. Kieffer III, the son of Capt. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. To justify their actions, authorities said Inman and Villanueva prepared false and fraudulent reports in which they portrayed Washington as the aggressor and an ongoing threat. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. The two appeared to exchange words in the soundless video moments before tempers flared. 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. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey, Two Trenton Police Officers Charged with Civil Rights Violations, Obstruction of Justice, U.S. Attorneys Office Reaches Settlement with Ocean County Nail Salon to End Disability Discrimination, Statement Of U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, Former Hillsborough Township School District Official Admits To Paying Kickbacks For Illegal Overtime Payments, Two Trenton Police Officers Charged With Civil Rights Violations, Obstruction of Justice. FAX: 856-968-4917 Capt. Trenton Police Officer Drew Inman and ex-officer Anthony Villanueva are accused of assaulting a man who was complying with their demands. Jan. 28, 2021) From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research. The indictment describes the assault like this: Victim 2 walked calmly, unescorted, into a cell denoted in Trenton Police Department records as Cell 7, and the door to Cell 7 began to close behind him, locking him in. Official websites use .gov By The Newnan Times-Herald. Another officer ordered Washington to climb over the fence toward him. Villanuevas lawyer said the only people who should be happy about the charges are gang members, gun carriers, and drug sellers. District of New Jersey This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division - Unpublished Opinions, New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division - Unpublished Opinions Decisions. They are charged with violating Washington's civil rights and falsifying police reports to characterize him as the aggressor. Washington and Salaam Felton, now of St. Charles, Missouri, also claimed in separate lawsuits they were beaten to a pulp by Villanueva. The man was eventually surrounded by Trenton police officers and complied when he was ordered to put his hands in the air. Have a question about Government Services? They are accused of assaulting a man during a traffic stop in 2017. Get free summaries of new New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division - Unpublished Opinions opinions delivered to your inbox! Hearing Impaired: 973-645-6227 Mar. Villanueva was fired by the police department, and is the subject of three excessive force lawsuits, according to The Trentonian.

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