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. While the man complied with further police demands, Villanueva punched him in the face and Inman tackled him to the ground, according to investigators. 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. 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. Trenton police officers chased him down. Villanuevas charges also related to his macing of a suspect in police lockup in 2017, according to the six-count indictment. The incident was recorded on other officers body cams. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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, who was eventually fired by the city department and is fighting to get his job back, had been pulled off the streets and re-assigned to lockup following a separate altercation months before with Chanzie Washington. 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. Aerotek Mark Anthony Villanueva Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. Attorney Robin Lord is seeing her client Chanzie Washington's claims of police brutality vindicated. 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. Search the most comprehensive statewide database of police use of force in the U.S. As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. 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. On Tuesday, Villanueva was arrested by the FBI at his home. 970 Broad Street, 7th Floor
On April 9, 2017 in Trenton, New Jersey, Chanzie Washington allegedly led cops on a car chase and then ran on foot. The appropriate departmental administrative actions will be taken, he said. Anthony Villanueva, Trenton Police Department Adam L. Wills, Pemberton Twp. 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. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. Inman, sporting the shaved-head look, was still attired in his Trenton Police garb of a black polo shirt and cargo pants. 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. April 23, 2019 / 6:49 PM 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. Washington jumped into the canal and swam to the opposite bank, climbing up a steep, brush-lined embankment near a parking lot. 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. The indictment was unsealed on Tuesday, and they were both scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon. 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. Get free summaries of new New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division - Unpublished Opinions opinions delivered to your inbox! He was assisted that night by a police aide (the aide). Both men are charged with aiding and abetting one another to deprive a man of his civil rights. Personally, its devastating to him, Hes got a family. The arrest of Inman happened a day after the city introduced new police director Sheilah Coley. On Nov. 28, 2017, Villanueva pepper sprayed a prisoner who was confined to a holding cell at Trenton Police Headquarters, according to authorities. The video includes body cameras from three officers, but not from Villanueva or Inman. Yo, why would you do that, he recalled saying. The maximum fine for each of the charges is $250,000. FAX:973-645-2702
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. Singletary was charged with assaulting Villanueva. The Trentonian reported on those dustups, both of which were caught on tape. That came one day after they made their initial court appearances and were each released on $50,000 bail. Sitting next to their attorneys, they remained quiet as U.S. assistant attorney Joseph Gribko briefly recapped the case against them. Thats what the video shows. 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. The video appeared to show Singletary slapping Villanuevas hand away from the phone. Accountability starts from the top.. District of New Jersey
The FBI was investigating Inman, former TPD officer Anthony Villanueva, and Mark Kieffer III in connection with the April 2017 arrest of Chanzie Washington. Its a travesty for him, but also for the law abiding resident of the city of Trenton, at a time when we need good honest hard-working police officers who really want to the job and at the same time want to go home to their families at night without getting a bullet in the chest. He was also seen walking coming down the hall shaking the pepper spray as he approached Singletarys cell. The man tells the officers, Stop hitting me in my face.". He is also charged with additional civil rights and obstruction counts in connection to a separate incident in November 2017. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the communitys confidence.. The federal case against them was initially scheduled for trial in 2020, but has been repeatedly postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Authorities say the driver involved in the stop fled in his vehicle and then on foot as officers pursued. The video shows a fence separated Washington from most of the officers, who had their guns trained on him. 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. Body cam footage obtained by NBC10 shows the man on the ground and crying out in pain while officers are on top of him. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. 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.. While Washington was complying, Villanueva punched him in the face. Its inbred in internal affairs. DOCKET NO. Villanueva was fired last year and faces a separate federal charge for allegedly pepper spraying a man in a police holding cell. 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. Body camera footage showed Villanueva tracking down, tackling and punching Felton in the head twice from behind following a foot chase in March 2017. Thats his gun, his physical strength and his courage.. The appeals court fully backed the OAL judge, Jeff Masin, in his findings that Villanueva was properly terminated. Camden:856-757-5026
Stephen Varn, who is serving as acting police director while Lt. Chris Doyle is on vacation, confirmed Inmans arrest at TPD headquarters. (VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED). Villanueva faces additional charges for allegedly assaulting a prisoner who was in a holding cell. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Inman is not charged in the Singletary incident. 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. 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. However, the lawsuit painted Singletary as a blameless victim. Villanueva grabbed a bottle of mace from the detention area. You can explore additional available newsletters here. Trenton, GA Cureton , Phillip Lebron 2/15/1977 9846 W Ridge Trail Rd - Soddy Daisy, TN Curington , Jessica Lee 9/28/1979 I never want to be maced again in my life, Singletary previously told this newspaper. Inman has been with the department a little more than two years and makes more than $57,000 in annual salary. 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. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, Pa. Woman Went Missing in 1992 and Declared Dead. |. Two Trenton officers involved in arresting Washington after a foot chase in April of 2017 are now facing federal charges. The former officer, Anthony Villanueva, was. (Image via YouTube) TRENTON, NJ - Two Trenton police officers have been arrested by. 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. Villanueva was assigned to TPD lockup after. Villanueva, who has since left the police department, is also charged with assaulting a prisoner in a separate incident. 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. If you encounter them, you need to promptly notify your [attorneys]. Both Inman and Villanueva were granted unsecured bail on Tuesday, meaning they can go home. 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. California residents do not sell my data request. I dont want you back here because of a mistake. They both face more than 30 years in prison if convicted on all counts. Each man did not speak other than to acknowledge the judge when she advised them of their right to remain silent. The gun-toting drug dealers in Trenton are probably throwing a party tonight since he was taken off the street. / CBS Philadelphia. 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. Its inbred in them. "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. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. But there was no long struggle, the OAL judge found. 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. Sounds likeVillanueva was under the misconception that police solidarity may is the same if you are a person of color. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. A-4302-18T3 (App. The lawsuit faults Parrey, who is no longer police director, for not flagging Villanuevas pattern of unreasonable force.. As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. Trimboli & Prusinowski, LLC, attorneys for respondent City of Trenton . 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. Both defendants are charged with one count aiding and abetting one another to deprive a man of his civil rights. Sign up for our free summaries and get the latest delivered directly to you. By The Newnan Times-Herald. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Video of the incident showed Singletary strolling unaccompanied down the hall leading to the jail cells and entering the cell. Villanueva came up from Washingtons side and punched him in the face while Inman tackled him to the ground. My eyes burned for like two, three days.. 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]. Inman and Villanueva returned to the police station to prepare reports in connection with the victims arrest. Enter the name of a police department or an officer: Press to expand search. His father was a police officer. First published on April 23, 2019 / 6:49 PM. The incident was caught on body camera. Investigators said he pepper sprayed a defendant while in a holding cell area of Trenton police headquarters. A lock ( As the cell door began to close and was almost shut, Villanueva sprayed the chemical agent inside. Another officer ordered Washington to climb over the fence toward him. Bongiovanni ordered the government to turn over to the defense the names of any witnesses and victims so there wasnt any confusion. NBC10 obtained body cam footage of the incident.. 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 "It's a question of respect. 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. Kieffer III, the son of Capt. Inmans lawyer has declined to comment. Thats not what this was.. 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. Former officer Anthony Villanueva and current officer Drew Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon. It burns. I feel that although [the arrests] are a positive step toward change, its too little too late, she said. Scott Krasny, Inmans attorney, declined to comment. Theres no evidence that he was punched at that side of his face.. All rights reserved (About Us). ANTHONY VILLANUEVA, CITY OF TRENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. 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. Villanueva wore all black, his lean frame topped by a mop of curly jet black hair. 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. Jan. 28, 2021) From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research. NBC10 obtained body cam footage of the incident. The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. 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.