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 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. The charges and accusations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and Inman and Villanueva are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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 filed 14 use-of-force reports in a two-year period, higher than the statewide average of 4.1 use-of-force reports per officer over a five-year period, according to NJ.coms reporting on statewide use-of-force records. Thats his gun, his physical strength and his courage.. Its inbred in them. _____ Submitted January 12, 2021 - Decided Before Judges Haas, Mawla, and Natali. California residents do not sell my data request. Trenton:609-989-2190 TPD officers were on the other side waiting for Washington, who immediately gave himself up and raised his hands in the air, the indictment says. TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- Two Trenton police officers are now in trouble with the law. (Image via YouTube) TRENTON, NJ - Two Trenton police officers have been arrested by. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. 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. Court: SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION. On April 9, 2017 in Trenton, New Jersey, Chanzie Washington allegedly led cops on a car chase and then ran on foot. 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. Police Department Kanifah M. Wood, Trenton Police Department Eric W. Woodrow, West Windsor Police Department. As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. Washington ran from police during a traffic stop and when officers caught up with him at a fence, they ordered him to raise his arms and then climb over the fence, authorities allege. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. He is fighting to get his job back. 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. Her first official day isnt till May 1. 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.. 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. In the Trenton case, city cops Villanueva and Inman were hit in a six-count indictment that charged civilrights deprivation and falsifying police records. The video also captured Villanueva bragging about the arrest later on a phone call. Search the most comprehensive statewide database of police use of force in the U.S. Villanueva and Inman, their hands shackled in front of them, appeared Tuesday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni. You already receive all suggested Justia Opinion Summary Newsletters. The former officer, Anthony Villanueva, was. He didnt have a baton. In the second incident, Villanueva is charged with depriving a man of his civil rights and obstruction of justice. 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. There are 400+ professionals named "Anthony Villanueva", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. be arrested and re-processed. Villanueva and Inman were each ordered released on $50,000 unsecured bonds with conditions. I never want to be maced again in my life, Singletary previously told this newspaper. Trimboli & Prusinowski, LLC, attorneys for respondent City of Trenton . When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the community's confidence.. |. Please enter valid email address to continue. They punched him numerous times while Washington cried out, stop hitting me, and youve got my hands.. Footage from the incident that was obtained by The Trentonian via public records request can be seen below. You can explore additional available newsletters here. So far no charges have been brought against Villanueva, who was cut loose by TPD last year. We will have problems if you do.. He was also seen walking coming down the hall shaking the pepper spray as he approached Singletarys cell. It was not immediately clear if that charge was dropped. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 3/5/2023 6529843 reed anthony 3/5/2023 6391927 reyes ignacio 3/5/2023 6553956 rodriguez jonatan 3/5/2023 6547498 salinas ricardo . 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. 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. Investigators said he pepper sprayed a defendant while in a holding cell area of Trenton police headquarters. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). 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. . It burns. Mark Kieffer Jr., was not charged in the indictment and not mentioned by name. All the charges against Felton were later dropped. Personally, its devastating to him, Hes got a family. Accountability starts from the top.. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Lord was pleased somebody from law enforcement was paying attention and holding these officers accountable for their criminal conduct. Mayor Reed Gusciora said he was made aware of the arrests but declined to comment beyond that. 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. Thats what the video shows. 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.. Those cops beat the living sh** out of Rodney King, and those cops overstepped their bounds. 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. Former officer Anthony Villanueva and current officer Drew Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon. The appeals court fully backed the OAL judge, Jeff Masin, in his findings that Villanueva was properly terminated. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the communitys confidence.. "In this situation, he did not elect to draw his weapon, it stayed in the holster and he brought the guy down to the ground and handcuffed him," Ballarotto said. 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. Full title: IN THE MATTER OF ANTHONY VILLANUEVA, CITY OF TRENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. He was assisted that night by a police aide (the aide). 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. Villanueva wore all black, his lean frame topped by a mop of curly jet black hair. Trenton, GA Cureton , Phillip Lebron 2/15/1977 9846 W Ridge Trail Rd - Soddy Daisy, TN Curington , Jessica Lee 9/28/1979 The gun-toting drug dealers in Trenton are probably throwing a party tonight since he was taken off the street. The charges against both men stem from an April 2017 traffic stop in Trenton. EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Valley Forge Military Academy Cadet Speaks To CBS3 About Alleged Verbal, Physical Abuse At Hands Of Students. Villanueva faces additional charges for allegedly assaulting a prisoner who was in a holding cell. Body cam footage obtained by NBC10 shows the man on the ground and crying out in pain while officers are on top of him. 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. Singletary has said he was visited by fed who wanted to know more about the altercation with Villanueva. 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. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. She sounded indignant as she discussed her decades-long struggle to help clients who described being beaten up and abused by TPD officers. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, Pa. Woman Went Missing in 1992 and Declared Dead. / CBS Philadelphia. He didnt have a taser, he said. 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. Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. Another officer ordered Washington to climb over the fence toward him. Inman is not charged in the Singletary incident. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. A locked padlock FAX: 856-968-4917 The arrest of Inman happened a day after the city introduced new police director Sheilah Coley. Get free summaries of new New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division - Unpublished Opinions opinions delivered to your inbox! with assault on a police officer, which required that Q.S. While the man complied with further police demands, Villanueva punched him in the face and Inman tackled him to the ground, according to investigators. 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. Suicide Note Revealed After Shocking Death, Indicted! Two Trenton officers involved in arresting Washington after a foot chase in April of 2017 are now facing federal charges. The video appeared to show Singletary slapping Villanuevas hand away from the phone. Inman is still on restricted duty and Kieffer III is on the streets. All rights reserved, Philly POPS Musicians Disappointed' by Recent Moves, Trump Supporters Get Parole in Philadelphia Weapons Case, Check Your Change! One part of the video shows Inman punching the suspect before bragging to the person recording the video, saying, I beat the living sh*t he stops when the other officer points to his body camera. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The indictment says the booking photo, obtained by The Trentonian, showed Washington, who has sued over the beatdown, with a busted, bloodied lip, nose and swelling and brusing around his left eye. All the gun-toting drug dealers in Trenton are all gonna be happy tonight that Anthonys no longer a police officer, Ballarotto said. 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. Washington and Salaam Felton, now of St. Charles, Missouri, also claimed in separate lawsuits they were beaten to a pulp by Villanueva. My eyes burned for like two, three days.. Man In Easter Bunny Suit Involved In Florida Brawl Wanted In New Jersey For Car Burglaries. Mar. 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. Aerotek Mark Anthony Villanueva 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. 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 . 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. Trenton Police Officer Drew Inman and ex-officer Anthony Villanueva are accused of assaulting a man who was complying with their demands. Police work is difficult and dangerous, but officers need to respect the civil rights of the people they are policing, Carpenito said. Anthony Villanueva, then 25, after leaving U.S. District Court in Trenton in an April 2019 file photo.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Med. I dont want you back here because of a mistake. 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. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). The three civil suits, which name Villanueva, police officials and the city, are all pending, according to attorney Robin Lord who filed them with Clifford Bidlingmaier. He is also charged with additional civil rights and obstruction counts in connection to a separate incident in November 2017. Dougherty believes the city made a pile of mistakes investigating Villanueva, including not interviewing his client or his supervising sergeant. TPD Officer Drew Inman, center, was caught on tape punching a suspect in the face while other cops placed him in cuffs. You're all set! The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. A lock ( The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. Villanueva filed 14 use-of-force reports in a two-year period, higher than the statewide average of 4.1 use-of-force reports per officer over a five-year period, according to NJ.coms reporting on statewide use-of-force records. An official website of the United States government. 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. The federal case against them was initially scheduled for trial in 2020, but has been repeatedly postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 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. 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. Villanueva stated he intended to charge Q.S. Both defendants are charged with one count aiding and abetting one another to deprive a man of his civil rights. An arrest constitutes only the initiation of charges, and those arrested are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law. When the police caught him, Washington was brought to the ground, and was then punched several times by three different police officers: Drew Inman, Antony Villanueva andMark Kieffer III. 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. He only had three things. In re Villanueva. Citations Copy Citation. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. The violation of civil rights counts each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. April 23, 2019 / 6:49 PM Villanueva came up from Washingtons side and punched him in the face while Inman tackled him to the ground. 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. Villanuevas lawyer said the only people who should be happy about the charges are gang members, gun carriers, and drug sellers. The sound picks up after Washington is already on the ground in the first two videos. FAX: 609-989-2275. Main Office: Stephen Varn, who is serving as acting police director while Lt. Chris Doyle is on vacation, confirmed Inmans arrest at TPD headquarters. Singletary and his attorneys may be banking on power in numbers. The two appeared to exchange words in the soundless video moments before tempers flared. Villanueva filed a written report later that night setting forth his account of what happened next. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. Authorities say the driver involved in the stop fled in his vehicle and then on foot as officers pursued. 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. Jerome Ballarotto, Villanuevas attorney, confirmed the FBI went to his clients house in Ewing around 6 a.m. and arrested him at gunpoint, terrorizing his wife and children. All say they were beaten up by Villanueva. The indictment recounts the chase from start to finish, as Washington ended up at the banks of the Delaware and Raritan Canal. 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.. As Singletary headed toward his cell and the door closed behind him, the cop sprayed him with the stinging mace, affecting nearby prisoners. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Hearing Impaired: 973-645-6227 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. It aint no joke. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. First published on April 23, 2019 / 6:49 PM. Surrounded by police officers, Washington complied when told to raise his hands, according to authorities. The FBI was investigating Inman, former TPD officer Anthony Villanueva, and Mark Kieffer III in connection with the April 2017 arrest of Chanzie Washington. Both men are charged with aiding and abetting one another to deprive a man of his civil rights. Its inbred all over. Div. According to Trentonian , 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.
02 40 14 36 22