The maximum fine for each of the charges is $250,000. 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. She sounded indignant as she discussed her decades-long struggle to help clients who described being beaten up and abused by TPD officers. Div. 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. Authorities said Villanueva punched the driver in the face and Inman tackled him. Villanueva was assigned to TPD lockup after. Surrounded by police officers, Washington complied when told to raise his hands, according to authorities. It burns. 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 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. ANTHONY VILLANUEVA, CITY OF TRENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. 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. 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. We will have problems if you do.. Felton said in suit that he was beaten so badly during his arrest he suffered bleeding on the brain and other injuries. Like our content? They are charged with violating Washington's civil rights and falsifying police. Sign up for NewsOne's email newsletter! Its inbred all over. As Singletary headed toward his cell and the door closed behind him, the cop sprayed him with the stinging mace, affecting nearby prisoners. So far no charges have been brought against Villanueva, who was cut loose by TPD last year. In the Trenton case, city cops Villanueva and Inman were hit in a six-count indictment that charged civilrights deprivation and falsifying police records. 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. All rights reserved, Philly POPS Musicians Disappointed' by Recent Moves, Trump Supporters Get Parole in Philadelphia Weapons Case, Check Your Change! In re Villanueva. Her first official day isnt till May 1. NBC10 obtained body cam footage of the incident. The capital city cops are accused of using excessive force against suspects Chanzie Washington and Quaree Singletary, during separate arrests, in April and November 2017. All rights reserved (About Us). Search the most comprehensive statewide database of police use of force in the U.S. The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. A number of officers went around to the other side of the fence, including one officer equipped with a body camera. The appropriate departmental administrative actions will be taken, he said. 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. Bongiovanni ordered the government to turn over to the defense the names of any witnesses and victims so there wasnt any confusion. First published on April 23, 2019 / 6:49 PM. He allegedly later completed an incident report that contained numerous false statements to conceal his conduct. April 23, 2019 / 6:49 PM DOCKET NO. Police Department Kanifah M. Wood, Trenton Police Department Eric W. Woodrow, West Windsor 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. Court: SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION. Villanueva, who has since left the police department, is also charged with assaulting a prisoner in a separate incident. 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. 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. NBC10 obtained body cam footage of the incident.. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Villanueva grabbed a bottle of mace from the detention area. 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. While Washington was complying, Villanueva punched him in the face. 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.. 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. 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. Both Inman and Villanueva were granted unsecured bail on Tuesday, meaning they can go home. 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. I never want to be maced again in my life, Singletary previously told this newspaper. An arrest constitutes only the initiation of charges, and those arrested are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law. The former officer, Anthony Villanueva, was. Its inbred in internal affairs. Villanueva is charged with two counts of obstruction, and Inman with one count of obstruction. 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. Attorneys Molly Lorber, Joseph Gribko and Ray Mateo of the U.S. Attorney=s Office Criminal Division in Trenton in the criminal case. Villanueva came up from Washingtons side and punched him in the face while Inman tackled him to the ground. 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. Anthony Villanueva and Drew Inman are charged with assault in the 2017 arrest of Chanzie Washington. You dont want to come back here. They cannot resort to excessive force in performing their duties. On November 28, 2017, Villanueva was on duty at the Trenton Police Department Detention Center. 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. 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. 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. FAX: 609-989-2275. Villanueva was fired by Trenton police last summer for an alleged pattern of excessive force. 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. Theres no evidence that he was punched at that side of his face.. Villanueva was fired in June 2018 and was in the process of fighting to get his job back. Singletary was charged with assaulting Villanueva. Villanueva and Inman, their hands shackled in front of them, appeared Tuesday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni. Sign up for our free summaries and get the latest delivered directly to you. Citations Copy Citation. Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. 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. Former officer Anthony Villanueva and current officer Drew Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon. They also took Officer Inman into custody at Trenton police headquarters. Enter the name of a police department or an officer: Press to expand search. Its a whole family of public servants in the city of Trenton, he said. The appeals court fully backed the OAL judge, Jeff Masin, in his findings that Villanueva was properly terminated. She Was Just Found in Puerto Rico, Chris Rock to Address Will Smith's Slap in First Stand-Up Since Last Year's Oscars, New Jersey Bill Seeks to Ban Sale of Baby Wipes. They punched him numerous times while Washington cried out, stop hitting me, and youve got my hands.. 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. 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.. Villanueva wore all black, his lean frame topped by a mop of curly jet black hair. Each man did not speak other than to acknowledge the judge when she advised them of their right to remain silent. Singletary has said he was visited by fed who wanted to know more about the altercation with Villanueva. The man who the officers arrested is no longer in jail and his eluding and obstruction charges were later dropped. "It's a question of respect. The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. Villanuevas attorney, Jerome Ballarotto, insists his client didnt punch the man however. 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. Suicide Note Revealed After Shocking Death, Indicted! All Rights Reserved. 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. Ballarotto said his client cooperated with the feds and testified at an administrative law hearing. California residents do not sell my data request. The gun-toting drug dealers in Trenton are probably throwing a party tonight since he was taken off the street. 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. 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). The whole scuffle was caught on surveillance cameras and the footage was released to The Trentonian. Inman is not charged in the Singletary incident. 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. Attorney Robin Lord is seeing her client Chanzie Washington's claims of police brutality vindicated. He is also charged with additional civil rights and obstruction counts in connection to a separate incident in November 2017. 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. Get free summaries of new New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division - Unpublished Opinions opinions delivered to your inbox! 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. With your experience, Im sure youre familiar with your Fifth Amendment rights, Bongiovanni said during the 10-minute court appearance. Footage from the incident that was obtained by The Trentonian via public records request can be seen below. Passaic Clinton, Hunterdon Trenton, Mercer Tuckerton, Ocean Union Beach, Monmouth Union City, Hudson Union Township, . The false records counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 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. Villanueva went back to headquarters to help process Washington. 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. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the community's confidence.. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. On appeal from the New Jersey Civil Service . Villanueva faces additional charges for allegedly assaulting a prisoner who was in a holding cell. 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. 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. Ballarotto said his client is being unfairly vilified as a rogue cop, and he believes the ex-TPDer will get cleared. He plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. While the man complied with further police demands, Villanueva punched him in the face and Inman tackled him to the ground, according to investigators. 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). 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. 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. 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. Trenton attorney Robin Lord represents Washington, Singletary and a third man, Saalam Felton, in separate lawsuits. (Image via YouTube) TRENTON, NJ - Two Trenton police officers have been arrested by. 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.
Without issuing any warning or command, defendant Villanueva moved swiftly towards victim 1 and punched victim 1 in the face, the indictment states. FAX: 856-968-4917
Villanueva, who was standing on the same side of the chain-link fence, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, the feds alleged. 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 .
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 Trentonian reported on those dustups, both of which were caught on tape. However, the lawsuit painted Singletary as a blameless victim. 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.