The violation of civil rights counts each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. 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. Trenton Police Officer Drew Inman and former Trenton Police Officer Anthony Villanueva were charged in a six-count indictment two years after an incident in which they knocked a Trenton man to the ground during an arrest, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. An arrest constitutes only the initiation of charges, and those arrested are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law. 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 and Inman, their hands shackled in front of them, appeared Tuesday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni. 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. with assault on a police officer, which required that Q.S. 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. The two appeared to exchange words in the soundless video moments before tempers flared. (VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED). The man tells the officers, Stop hitting me in my face.". 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. Investigators said he pepper sprayed a defendant while in a holding cell area of Trenton police headquarters. Kieffer III, the son of Capt. 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 indictment also recounted Villanuevas Nov. 28, 2017 encounter with Quaree Singletary inside TPD headquarters. 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. 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., FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie called the cops actions a violation of trust., Civil rights violations are of great concern, particularly when the allegations involve a member of law enforcement, he said in a statement. _____ Submitted January 12, 2021 - Decided Before Judges Haas, Mawla, and Natali. As Felton was walking on a street, not running, Villanueva ran up behind him and punched him in the head several times before tackling him to the ground. 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. FAX: 609-989-2275. The sound picks up after Washington is already on the ground in the first two videos. They both face more than 30 years in prison if convicted on all counts. 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. He plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. Sign up for our free summaries and get the latest delivered directly to you. Dougherty believes the city made a pile of mistakes investigating Villanueva, including not interviewing his client or his supervising sergeant. Each man did not speak other than to acknowledge the judge when she advised them of their right to remain silent. 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. Trenton Police department was aware of the the investigation and cooperated fully with federal authorities. 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. As Singletary headed toward his cell and the door closed behind him, the cop sprayed him with the stinging mace, affecting nearby prisoners. Hearing Impaired: 856-968-4983
Like our content? Ballarotto said his client is being unfairly vilified as a rogue cop, and he believes the ex-TPDer will get cleared. Official websites use .gov Villanueva was fired in June 2018 and was in the process of fighting to get his job back. 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. Former officer Anthony Villanueva and current officer Drew Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon. This is not a Rodney King situation, he said. 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. Villanuevas lawyer said the only people who should be happy about the charges are gang members, gun carriers, and drug sellers. Villanuevas attorney, Jerome Ballarotto, insists his client didnt punch the man however. The video includes body cameras from three officers, but not from Villanueva or Inman. The indictment was unsealed on Tuesday, and they were both scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. The FBI was investigating Inman, former TPD officer Anthony Villanueva, and Mark Kieffer III in connection with the April 2017 arrest of Chanzie Washington. Trenton Police Officer Drew Inman and ex-officer Anthony Villanueva are accused of assaulting a man who was complying with their demands. Scott Krasny, Inmans attorney, declined to comment. Camden:856-757-5026
Hearing Impaired: 973-645-6227
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Surrounded by police officers, Washington complied when told to raise his hands, according to authorities.
As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. 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.. 10, 2022 - 4:46 PM. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Singletary was charged with assaulting Villanueva. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. 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. Bongiovanni ordered the government to turn over to the defense the names of any witnesses and victims so there wasnt any confusion. 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. Court: SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION. 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. Body cam footage obtained by NBC10 shows the man on the ground and crying out in pain while officers are on top of him. Man In Easter Bunny Suit Involved In Florida Brawl Wanted In New Jersey For Car Burglaries. DOCKET NO. 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. I feel that although [the arrests] are a positive step toward change, its too little too late, she said. The Newnan Times-Herald. On appeal from the New Jersey Civil Service . It aint no joke. Anthony Villanueva, then 25, after leaving U.S. District Court in Trenton in an April 2019 file photo.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Med. Without issuing any warning or command, defendant Villanueva moved swiftly towards victim 1 and punched victim 1 in the face, the indictment states. The incident was recorded on other officers body cams. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. 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. A police aide rushed to try to help subdue Singletary, who allegedly elbowed Villanueva during the altercation. Villanueva was fired last year and faces a separate federal charge for allegedly pepper spraying a man in a police holding cell. Trenton:609-989-2190
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. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the community's confidence.. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the community's confidence.. Singletary and his attorneys may be banking on power in numbers. All rights reserved (About Us). You already receive all suggested Justia Opinion Summary Newsletters. I dont want you back here because of a mistake. Mark Kieffer Jr., was not charged in the indictment and not mentioned by name. Authorities said Villanueva punched the driver in the face and Inman tackled him. Singletary and Villanueva who at last word was being looked at by the feds over allegations of repeated use of excessive force got into it with each other in police lockup over a phone call. The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. District of New Jersey
All rights reserved, Philly POPS Musicians Disappointed' by Recent Moves, Trump Supporters Get Parole in Philadelphia Weapons Case, Check Your Change! Please subscribe today to NJ.com. provided by mercer county prosecutors office, Chanzie Washington's mugshot after being arrested April 9, 2017. Lock In the second incident, Villanueva is charged with depriving a man of his civil rights and obstruction of justice. You dont want to come back here. 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. April 23, 2019 / 6:49 PM All the gun-toting drug dealers in Trenton are all gonna be happy tonight that Anthonys no longer a police officer, Ballarotto said. Mayor Reed Gusciora said he was made aware of the arrests but declined to comment beyond that. You're all set! 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 video appeared to show Singletary slapping Villanuevas hand away from the phone. Personally, its devastating to him, Hes got a family. 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. 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. Anthony Villanueva and Drew Inman are charged with assault in the 2017 arrest of Chanzie Washington. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS They cannot resort to excessive force in performing their duties. He didnt have a taser, he said. 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. He is also charged with additional civil rights and obstruction counts in connection to a separate incident in November 2017. The Trentonian reported on those dustups, both of which were caught on tape. 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. The gun-toting drug dealers in Trenton are probably throwing a party tonight since he was taken off the street. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. The charges against both men stem from an April 2017 traffic stop in Trenton. Police work is difficult and dangerous, but officers need to respect the civil rights of the people they are policing, Carpenito said. Enter the name of a police department or an officer: Press to expand search. 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. He was assisted that night by a police aide (the aide). 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. Quaree Singletary uses a bed mattress to shield himself from mace during a struggle in TPD lockup. 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. Video footage from inside police lockup showed the entire struggle, beginning in the phone room when Villanueva attempted to end a call Singletary was on with relatives after he was arrested and taken to headquarters on a warrant. psychological facts about cheating, lamborghini aventador svj 0 100 mph,
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