They are charged with violating Washington's civil rights and falsifying police reports to characterize him as the aggressor. Newark, NJ 07102, Newark:973-645-2700 / CBS Philadelphia. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. 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. Villanueva was fired by Trenton police last summer for an alleged pattern of excessive force. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. The indictment also recounted Villanuevas Nov. 28, 2017 encounter with Quaree Singletary inside TPD headquarters. Sign up for our free summaries and get the latest delivered directly to you. He only had three things. Her first official day isnt till May 1. 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. 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. So far no charges have been brought against Villanueva, who was cut loose by TPD last year. He was assisted that night by a police aide (the aide). Trenton, GA Cureton , Phillip Lebron 2/15/1977 9846 W Ridge Trail Rd - Soddy Daisy, TN Curington , Jessica Lee 9/28/1979 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Inman was arrested at the Trenton Police Station Tuesday morning and is now suspended. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. provided by mercer county prosecutors office, Chanzie Washington's mugshot after being arrested April 9, 2017. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Hearing Impaired: 973-645-6227 The charges against both men stem from an April 2017 traffic stop in Trenton. be arrested and re-processed. (Image via YouTube) TRENTON, NJ - Two Trenton police officers have been arrested by. Hearing Impaired: 856-968-4983 Without issuing any warning or command, defendant Villanueva moved swiftly towards victim 1 and punched victim 1 in the face, the indictment states. Please enter valid email address to continue. FAX: 856-968-4917 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. As the cell door began to close and was almost shut, Villanueva sprayed the chemical agent inside. Trenton:609-989-2190 The appeals court fully backed the OAL judge, Jeff Masin, in his findings that Villanueva was properly terminated. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. The video shows a fence separated Washington from most of the officers, who had their guns trained on him. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. 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. 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 charges and accusations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and Inman and Villanueva are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Personally, its devastating to him, Hes got a family. Those cops beat the living sh** out of Rodney King, and those cops overstepped their bounds. 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. He didnt have a flashlight. Quaree Singletary uses a bed mattress to shield himself from mace during a struggle in TPD lockup. with assault on a police officer, which required that Q.S. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. Its a whole family of public servants in the city of Trenton, he said. Scott Krasny, Inmans attorney, declined to comment. On November 28, 2017, Villanueva was on duty at the Trenton Police Department Detention Center. 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. 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. Body camera footage showed Villanueva tracking down, tackling and punching Felton in the head twice from behind following a foot chase in March 2017. The violation of civil rights counts each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Enter the name of a police department or an officer: Press to expand search. 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. Washington jumped into the canal and swam to the opposite bank, climbing up a steep, brush-lined embankment near a parking lot. 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. Mayor Reed Gusciora said he was made aware of the arrests but declined to comment beyond that. 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]. Dougherty believes the city made a pile of mistakes investigating Villanueva, including not interviewing his client or his supervising sergeant. (VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED). Div. A-4302-18T3 (App. Docket #: 1879852 Defendant: CHANDLER , ANTHONY Charge: DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Arresting Officer: MORTON, STONEY #012, Complaint #: A 029285G 2022 Arrest Date: 7/3/2022 Presiding Judge: ABLES, LARRY Division: 3 Court Room: 3 CJUS8023 Hamilton County General Sessions Court - Criminal Division Trial Docket 3/1/2023 Page No: 3 ar_Master_Docket The maximum fine for each of the charges is $250,000. Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. All the charges against Felton were later dropped. Villanueva is charged with two counts of obstruction, and Inman with one count of obstruction, in connection with that incident. 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 unsecured bonds didnt require the cops or their families to plunk down cash or property to secure their releases, but they are required to show up for arraignment Wednesday morning. California residents do not sell my data request. 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. TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- Two Trenton police officers are now in trouble with the law. Villanueva wore all black, his lean frame topped by a mop of curly jet black hair. 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. 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. That came one day after they made their initial court appearances and were each released on $50,000 bail. 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. Main Office: More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). "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. All rights reserved, Philly POPS Musicians Disappointed' by Recent Moves, Trump Supporters Get Parole in Philadelphia Weapons Case, Check Your Change! As Singletary headed toward his cell and the door closed behind him, the cop sprayed him with the stinging mace, affecting nearby prisoners. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. They are charged with violating Washington's civil rights and falsifying police. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. And then you have the old regime supervising these people. Trimboli & Prusinowski, LLC, attorneys for respondent City of Trenton . Villanuevas lawyer said the only people who should be happy about the charges are gang members, gun carriers, and drug sellers. Villanueva stated he intended to charge Q.S. Surrounded by police officers, Washington complied when told to raise his hands, according to authorities. 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. Villanueva and Inman, their hands shackled in front of them, appeared Tuesday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni. Villanueva filed a written report later that night setting forth his account of what happened next. Villanueva has several other issues pending from his four years on the Trenton police force, which all occurred in 2017. A number of officers went around to the other side of the fence, including one officer equipped with a body camera. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Each man did not speak other than to acknowledge the judge when she advised them of their right to remain silent. I feel that although [the arrests] are a positive step toward change, its too little too late, she said. The Newnan Times-Herald. The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. The Trentonian reported on those dustups, both of which were caught on tape. All say they were beaten up by Villanueva. The two appeared to exchange words in the soundless video moments before tempers flared. Both men are charged with aiding and abetting one another to deprive a man of his civil rights. 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. Authorities say the driver involved in the stop fled in his vehicle and then on foot as officers pursued. 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. On Nov. 28, 2017, Villanueva pepper sprayed a prisoner who was confined to a holding cell at Trenton Police Headquarters, according to authorities. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. 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. Villanuevas charges also related to his macing of a suspect in police lockup in 2017, according to the six-count indictment. The indictment recounts the chase from start to finish, as Washington ended up at the banks of the Delaware and Raritan Canal. They cannot resort to excessive force in performing their duties. 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. Video of the incident showed Singletary strolling unaccompanied down the hall leading to the jail cells and entering the cell. Have a question about Government Services? Villanueva and Inman were each ordered released on $50,000 unsecured bonds with conditions. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. The man tells the officers, Stop hitting me in my face.". The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. She sounded indignant as she discussed her decades-long struggle to help clients who described being beaten up and abused by TPD officers. I believe that if my client gets a fair hearing he wont be charged.. 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. His father was a police officer. . Its inbred in internal affairs. 10, 2022 - 4:46 PM. Get free summaries of new New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division - Unpublished Opinions opinions delivered to your inbox! 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.