All rights reserved (About Us). Villanueva and Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday. Police work is difficult and dangerous, but officers need to respect the civil rights of the people they are policing, Carpenito said. Sign up for NewsOne's email newsletter! They both face more than 30 years in prison if convicted on all counts. Officers try to subdue Quaree Singletary during a lengthy struggle in police lockup. April 23, 2019 / 6:49 PM If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. 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). You can explore additional available newsletters here. The appropriate departmental administrative actions will be taken, he said. Its inbred all over. Villanueva wore all black, his lean frame topped by a mop of curly jet black hair. Thats not what this was.. Mark Kieffer Jr., was not charged in the indictment and not mentioned by name. 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.. 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. 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. 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. District of New Jersey 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. FBI arrests Trenton police officer at TPD, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), FBI arrests Trenton police officer at TPD headquarters in excessive force investigation, Fox News scandal, cable news, and how gullible we all are (JEFF EDELTSTEIN COLUMN), Tales of El Moreno in Puriscal Costa Rica (L.A. 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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. Villanueva stated he intended to charge Q.S. 10, 2022 - 4:46 PM. Villanuevas lawyer said the only people who should be happy about the charges are gang members, gun carriers, and drug sellers. Court: SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION. 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. They cannot resort to excessive force in performing their duties. I believe that if my client gets a fair hearing he wont be charged.. 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). Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Trenton, NJ. And then you have the old regime supervising these people. 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. be arrested and re-processed. You already receive all suggested Justia Opinion Summary Newsletters. Will anti-police sentiment change outcomes for Nucera - PressReader 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. 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. 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. 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. Third excessive force suit brought against ex-Trenton cop Anthony Authorities said Villanueva punched the driver in the face and Inman tackled him. He is fighting to get his job back. Both Inman and Villanueva were granted unsecured bail on Tuesday, meaning they can go home. The video appeared to show Singletary slapping Villanuevas hand away from the phone. NBC10 obtained body cam footage of the incident.. As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. 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. Trenton cop, ex-cop accused of beating man during arrest plead not - nj Washington complied, according to the indictment, and placed his hands on the fence. 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. Its a whole family of public servants in the city of Trenton, he said. 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. The charges and accusations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and Inman and Villanueva are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Its inbred in them. Full title: IN THE MATTER OF ANTHONY VILLANUEVA, CITY OF TRENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. 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 Officer Drew Inman and ex-officer Anthony Villanueva are accused of assaulting a man who was complying with their demands. 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 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. Div. The false records counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. 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. As the cell door began to close and was almost shut, Villanueva sprayed the chemical agent inside. Quaree Singletary engaged in a struggle with city cop Anthony Villanueva after Villanueva abruptly ended Singletary's phone call to relatives. He was also seen walking coming down the hall shaking the pepper spray as he approached Singletarys cell. 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. I dont want you back here because of a mistake. 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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. 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. 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. Citations Copy Citation. All say they were beaten up by Villanueva. He was assisted that night by a police aide (the aide). Sitting next to their attorneys, they remained quiet as U.S. assistant attorney Joseph Gribko briefly recapped the case against them. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Villanueva and Inman, their hands shackled in front of them, appeared Tuesday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni. ANTHONY VILLANUEVA, CITY OF TRENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. The indictment recounts the chase from start to finish, as Washington ended up at the banks of the Delaware and Raritan Canal. The video also captured Villanueva bragging about the arrest later on a phone call. In re Villanueva. All the charges against Felton were later dropped. The false records counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Trenton police officers chased him down. FAX: 856-968-4917 WATCH: Video shows altercation in Trenton Police lockup that got Villanueva later completed an incident report that contained numerous false statements designed to conceal his unlawful conduct and improper treatment of the prisoner. Felton said in suit that he was beaten so badly during his arrest he suffered bleeding on the brain and other injuries. Those cops beat the living sh** out of Rodney King, and those cops overstepped their bounds. The indictment also recounted Villanuevas Nov. 28, 2017 encounter with Quaree Singletary inside TPD headquarters. Villanueva went back to headquarters to help process 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. Get free summaries of new New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division - Unpublished Opinions opinions delivered to your inbox! The counts against both officers stem from a traffic stop on April 9, 2017, in Trenton. The whole scuffle was caught on surveillance cameras and the footage was released to The Trentonian. Theres no evidence that he was punched at that side of his face.. 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. Camden:856-757-5026 Mayor Reed Gusciora said he was made aware of the arrests but declined to comment beyond that. 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. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. 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. 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. A-4302-18T3 (App. Two Trenton officers involved in arresting Washington after a foot chase in April of 2017 are now facing federal charges. Scott Krasny, Inmans attorney, declined to comment. Without issuing any warning or command, defendant Villanueva moved swiftly towards victim 1 and punched victim 1 in the face, the indictment states. Search the most comprehensive statewide database of police use of force in the U.S. The FBI was investigating Inman, former TPD officer Anthony Villanueva, and Mark Kieffer III in connection with the April 2017 arrest of Chanzie Washington. The video includes body cameras from three officers, but not from Villanueva or Inman. 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. By The Newnan Times-Herald. My eyes burned for like two, three days.. "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. Authorities say the driver involved in the stop fled in his vehicle and then on foot as officers pursued. Accountability starts from the top.. Indictment alleges police assaulted suspects in Trenton; two - WHYY All rights reserved, Philly POPS Musicians Disappointed' by Recent Moves, Trump Supporters Get Parole in Philadelphia Weapons Case, Check Your Change! Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. "It's a question of respect. (VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED). 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. The man was eventually surrounded by Trenton police officers and complied when he was ordered to put his hands in the air. The lawsuit faults Parrey, who is no longer police director, for not flagging Villanuevas pattern of unreasonable force.. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Officer Anthony Villanueva sprays Quaree Singletary with mace during a lengthy struggle in TPD lockup. 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]. 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. Body camera footage showed Villanueva tracking down, tackling and punching Felton in the head twice from behind following a foot chase in March 2017. 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.. _____ Submitted January 12, 2021 - Decided Before Judges Haas, Mawla, and Natali. |. 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. 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. 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. Sign up for our free summaries and get the latest delivered directly to you. Chanzie Washington was pummeled by cops during an arrest in April 2017. So far no charges have been brought against Villanueva, who was cut loose by TPD last year. 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. TPD Officer Drew Inman, center, was caught on tape punching a suspect in the face while other cops placed him in cuffs. On April 9, 2017 in Trenton, New Jersey, Chanzie Washington allegedly led cops on a car chase and then ran on foot. The Trentonian reported on those dustups, both of which were caught on tape. Video of the incident showed Singletary strolling unaccompanied down the hall leading to the jail cells and entering the cell. 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. TRENTON, NJ - Two Trenton police officers have been arrested by federal agents and charged with assault and obstruction of justice, authorities announced on Tuesday. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The two appeared to exchange words in the soundless video moments before tempers flared. 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 handed up last Thursday by a federal grand jury and unsealed Tuesday. Villanueva arrested Felton in March 2017 following a foot pursuit following a reported shooting. Yo, why would you do that, he recalled saying. Like our content? Enter the name of a police department or an officer: Press to expand search. I feel that although [the arrests] are a positive step toward change, its too little too late, she said. Villanueva is charged with two counts of obstruction, and Inman with one count of obstruction. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. 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. 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. . 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 Villanueva and Inman were charged in April 2019 with aiding and abetting each other in depriving the civil rights of Chanzie Washington in April 2017. 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. 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. That decision was then adopted by the states Civil Service Commission. 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. 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. Jan. 28, 2021) From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research. He didnt have a baton. The federal case against them was initially scheduled for trial in 2020, but has been repeatedly postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 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. They punched him numerous times while Washington cried out, stop hitting me, and youve got my hands.. The violation of civil rights counts each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. 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. Mar. Anthony Villanueva, Trenton Police Department Adam L. Wills, Pemberton Twp. Singletary has said he was visited by fed who wanted to know more about the altercation with Villanueva. 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.. 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. Villanueva grabbed a bottle of mace from the detention area. A police aide rushed to try to help subdue Singletary, who allegedly elbowed Villanueva during the altercation. 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.. Man In Easter Bunny Suit Involved In Florida Brawl Wanted In New Jersey For Car Burglaries. 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. He didnt have a flashlight. While Washington was complying, Villanueva punched him in the face. He plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. Arrest Log: February 2022 - The Newnan Times-Herald 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Villanueva and Inman were among this group. Footage from the incident that was obtained by The Trentonian via public records request can be seen below. 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. In the second incident, Villanueva is charged with depriving a man of his civil rights and obstruction of justice. The maximum fine for each of the charges is $250,000. He allegedly later completed an incident report that contained numerous false statements to conceal his conduct. On April 9, 2017, Chanzie Washington, of Trenton, fled a routine traffic stop on foot, according to authorities. Inman and Kieffer III are white and Villanueva is Hispanic. 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