Villanueva was assigned to TPD lockup after. I know its a small community, the judge told the defendants. The arrest of Inman happened a day after the city introduced new police director Sheilah Coley. 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. 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. Its inbred in the academy. The former officer and his attorney, George Dougherty, then went to the state courts Appellate Division, which on Thursday sided with the OAL judges 40-page decision. Family members and supporters sat stoically at the back of the courtroom; they declined to comment on the governments case against their loved ones, letting the attorneys to the talking after the hearing. 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. EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Valley Forge Military Academy Cadet Speaks To CBS3 About Alleged Verbal, Physical Abuse At Hands Of Students. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. On April 9, 2017 in Trenton, New Jersey, Chanzie Washington allegedly led cops on a car chase and then ran on foot. He is also charged with additional civil rights and obstruction counts in connection to a separate incident in November 2017. As Singletary headed toward his cell and the door closed behind him, the cop sprayed him with the stinging mace, affecting nearby prisoners. The whole scuffle was caught on surveillance cameras and the footage was released to The Trentonian. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. While Washington was complying, Villanueva punched him in the face. 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. The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. Those cops beat the living sh** out of Rodney King, and those cops overstepped their bounds. Anthony Villanueva leaves the federal courthouse in Trenton in this April 2019 file photo. Yo, why would you do that, he recalled saying. Ballarotto said his client is being unfairly vilified as a rogue cop, and he believes the ex-TPDer will get cleared. 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.. 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 both been charged with obstruction of justice and violating the man's civil rights Skip to content Sunday, December 25, 2022 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. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. The charges against both men stem from an April 2017 traffic stop in Trenton. 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. 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 violation of civil rights counts each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. 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. Another officer ordered Washington to climb over the fence toward him. Court: SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION. He was fired in June 2018. (VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED). All the gun-toting drug dealers in Trenton are all gonna be happy tonight that Anthonys no longer a police officer, Ballarotto said. Villanueva and Inman, their hands shackled in front of them, appeared Tuesday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni. Like our content? This is not a Rodney King situation, he said. 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. Hearing Impaired: 856-968-4983 It isn't entirely clear what is happening in the third video, which was shot from a distance. They both face more than 30 years in prison if convicted on all counts. Anthony Villanueva, Trenton Police Department Adam L. Wills, Pemberton Twp. 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.. Mar. And then you have the old regime supervising these people. A-4302-18T3 (App. 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). 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. Villanueva and Inman were among this group. 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. The FBI was investigating Inman, former TPD officer Anthony Villanueva, and Mark Kieffer III in connection with the April 2017 arrest of Chanzie Washington. Villanueva has several other issues pending from his four years on the Trenton police force, which all occurred in 2017. be arrested and re-processed. With your experience, Im sure youre familiar with your Fifth Amendment rights, Bongiovanni said during the 10-minute court appearance. Villanueva also faces three civil lawsuits from Washington, Singletary, and Salaam Felton. 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 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. Villanueva also faces charges in connection to another incident in which he allegedly pepper sprayed a defendant in a holding cell. 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. 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 . When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the community's confidence.. The maximum fine for each of the charges is $250,000. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Marielle Franco, Radical Black Female Politician, Executed In Brazil, Megachurch Pastor Says Believing Jesus Is The Only Way To Heaven Is Insanity, 'Dilbert' Comic Creator Calls Black People A 'Hate Group,' Urges Segregation So Whites Can 'Escape', Bernie Mac Show Star Camille Winbush Is Not Ashamed Of Joining OnlyFans, Kyle Rittenhouse Faces 2nd Civil Lawsuit, Continues To Beg For Money From His Supporters, Ben Stein's 'Aunt Jemima' Rant Is A Master Class On White Privilege, Why Did tWitch Kill Himself? His father was a police officer. 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. The federal case against them was initially scheduled for trial in 2020, but has been repeatedly postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Villanuevas attorney, Jerome Ballarotto, insists his client didnt punch the man however. 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. (Image via YouTube) TRENTON, NJ - Two Trenton police officers have been arrested by. Official websites use .gov California residents do not sell my data request. Washington complied, according to the indictment, and placed his hands on the fence. Ballarotto plans to hire a police expert to testify that the officer's physicality was within the law. The incident was caught on body camera. Villanueva, who has since left the police department, is also charged with assaulting a prisoner in a separate incident. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Med. 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. That case is pending in federal court. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The charges and accusations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and Inman and Villanueva are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. "It's perfectly proper the way he handled himself," Villanueva's attorney, Jerome Ballarotto, said. 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. The false records counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. 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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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. Surrounded by police officers, Washington complied when told to raise his hands, according to authorities. They cannot resort to excessive force in performing their duties. Singletary has said he was visited by fed who wanted to know more about the altercation with Villanueva. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the community's confidence.. Inman and Villanueva returned to the police station to prepare reports in connection with the victims arrest. 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. Villanueva, who was standing on the same side of the chain-link fence, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, the feds alleged. Trenton, GA Cureton , Phillip Lebron 2/15/1977 9846 W Ridge Trail Rd - Soddy Daisy, TN Curington , Jessica Lee 9/28/1979 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. _____ Submitted January 12, 2021 - Decided Before Judges Haas, Mawla, and Natali. 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. He allegedly later completed an incident report that contained numerous false statements to conceal his conduct. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the communitys confidence.. As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. The indictment recounts the chase from start to finish, as Washington ended up at the banks of the Delaware and Raritan Canal. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Quaree Singletary uses a bed mattress to shield himself from mace during a struggle in TPD lockup. Each man did not speak other than to acknowledge the judge when she advised them of their right to remain silent. All Rights Reserved. Inman was arrested at the Trenton Police Station Tuesday morning and is now suspended. Trenton police officers chased him down. Sign up for NewsOne's email newsletter! 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. Ballarotto said his client cooperated with the feds and testified at an administrative law hearing. He didnt have a taser, he said. Villanueva went back to headquarters to help process Washington. An arrest constitutes only the initiation of charges, and those arrested are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law. They are charged with violating Washington's civil rights and falsifying police reports to characterize him as the aggressor. 3/5/2023 6529843 reed anthony 3/5/2023 6391927 reyes ignacio 3/5/2023 6553956 rodriguez jonatan 3/5/2023 6547498 salinas ricardo . 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. 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. Main Office: Footage from the incident that was obtained by The Trentonian via public records request can be seen below. He plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. Citations Copy Citation. The counts against both officers stem from a traffic stop on April 9, 2017, in Trenton. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. 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 video appeared to show Singletary slapping Villanuevas hand away from the phone. 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. 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. We will have problems if you do.. The Newnan Times-Herald. 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. Man In Easter Bunny Suit Involved In Florida Brawl Wanted In New Jersey For Car Burglaries. Singletary was charged with assaulting Villanueva. District of New Jersey You dont want to come back here. Our journalism needs your support. While the man complied with further police demands, Villanueva punched him in the face and Inman tackled him to the ground, according to investigators. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. However, the lawsuit painted Singletary as a blameless victim. The video includes body cameras from three officers, but not from Villanueva or Inman. Both defendants are charged with one count aiding and abetting one another to deprive a man of his civil rights. provided by mercer county prosecutors office, Chanzie Washington's mugshot after being arrested April 9, 2017. Jan. 28, 2021) From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research. 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. . 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 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. The Trenton Police Department has punished a number of officers accused of conduct unbecoming a public servant since the turn of the century, culminating with the recent firing of patrol. FAX: 856-968-4917 The former officer, Anthony Villanueva, was indicted by federal government for the 2017 incident on accusations he deprived the man of his civil rights. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, Pa. Woman Went Missing in 1992 and Declared Dead. Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. 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. 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.. 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. The maximum fine for each of the charges is $250,000. In the Trenton case, city cops Villanueva and Inman were hit in a six-count indictment that charged civilrights deprivation and falsifying police records. Villanueva filed a written report later that night setting forth his account of what happened next. 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. 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. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. The two appeared to exchange words in the soundless video moments before tempers flared. In the footage below, the officers are heard yelling at Washington. 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. Her first official day isnt till May 1. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. Villanueva is charged with two counts of obstruction while Inman is charged with one count of obstruction in connection to the incident. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. The man was eventually surrounded by the officers and complied when he was ordered to put his hands in the air, officials said. An official website of the United States government. Villanuevas lawyer said the only people who should be happy about the charges are gang members, gun carriers, and drug sellers. 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. Villanuevas charges also related to his macing of a suspect in police lockup in 2017, according to the six-count indictment. 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. He is fighting to get his job back. Police Department Kanifah M. Wood, Trenton Police Department Eric W. Woodrow, West Windsor Police Department. 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. First published on April 23, 2019 / 6:49 PM. 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.. Police work is difficult and dangerous, but officers need to respect the civil rights of the people they are policing, Carpenito said. FAX:973-645-2702 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. 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. TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- Two Trenton police officers are now in trouble with the law. 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. Without issuing any warning or command, defendant Villanueva moved swiftly towards victim 1 and punched victim 1 in the face, the indictment states. They are accused of assaulting a man during a traffic stop in 2017. Inman, sporting the shaved-head look, was still attired in his Trenton Police garb of a black polo shirt and cargo pants. 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. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. They are charged with violating Washington's civil rights and falsifying police. You can explore additional available newsletters here. They cannot resort to excessive force in performing their duties. 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. The video also captured Villanueva bragging about the arrest later on a phone call. The former officer, Anthony Villanueva, was. Enter the name of a police department or an officer: Press to expand search. 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. Camden:856-757-5026 Authorities said Villanueva punched the driver in the face and Inman tackled him. The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. "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. Chanzie Washington was pummeled by cops during an arrest in April 2017. 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