The maximum fine for each of the charges is $250,000. Trenton officer, ex-colleague plead not guilty to civil rights charges 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. 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.. Both defendants are charged with one count aiding and abetting one another to deprive a man of his civil rights. With your experience, Im sure youre familiar with your Fifth Amendment rights, Bongiovanni said during the 10-minute court appearance. 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Thats what the video shows. 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.. Villanueva wore all black, his lean frame topped by a mop of curly jet black hair. (Image via YouTube) TRENTON, NJ - Two Trenton police officers have been arrested by. 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. The Trentonian reported on those dustups, both of which were caught on tape. 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. As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. Officers try to subdue Quaree Singletary during a lengthy struggle in police lockup. An official website of the United States government. Villanueva and Inman were among this group. 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. 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. You already receive all suggested Justia Opinion Summary Newsletters. Villanueva was fired by the police department, and is the subject of three excessive force lawsuits, according to The Trentonian. Felton said in suit that he was beaten so badly during his arrest he suffered bleeding on the brain and other injuries. Aerotek Mark Anthony Villanueva Trenton attorney Robin Lord represents Washington, Singletary and a third man, Saalam Felton, in separate lawsuits. 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. He is also charged with additional civil rights and obstruction counts in connection to a separate incident in November 2017. A-4302-18T3 (App. / CBS Philadelphia. Her first official day isnt till May 1. You dont want to come back here. He was also seen walking coming down the hall shaking the pepper spray as he approached Singletarys cell. My eyes burned for like two, three days.. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Med. First published on 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. Inman has been with the department a little more than two years and makes more than $57,000 in annual salary. 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. Official websites use .gov Villanueva grabbed a bottle of mace from the detention area. 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. And then you have the old regime supervising these people. Im hopeful there will be more to come.. 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. Former officer Anthony Villanueva and current officer Drew Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon. Ballarotto said his client cooperated with the feds and testified at an administrative law hearing. 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 argued in his appeal, among other arguments, that the OAL erred by finding that he violated state policy on using pepper spray, and Trenton police failed to conduct an adequate investigation before terminating his employment. 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 . On Nov. 28, 2017, Villanueva, who had been assigned to work in the holding cell area of Trenton Police Headquarters, sprayed Oleoresin Capsicum (commonly referred to a pepper spray) on a prisoner who was confined in a holding cell. Hearing Impaired: 856-968-4983 Former officer Anthony Villanueva and current officer Drew Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon. You're all set! 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. 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. There are 400+ professionals named "Anthony Villanueva", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. I believe that if my client gets a fair hearing he wont be charged.. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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, 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. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Villanuevas charges also related to his macing of a suspect in police lockup in 2017, according to the six-count indictment. Date published: Jan 28, 2021. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. with assault on a police officer, which required that Q.S. He didnt have a taser, he said. Kieffer III, the son of Capt. Each man did not speak other than to acknowledge the judge when she advised them of their right to remain silent. 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. Search the most comprehensive statewide database of police use of force in the U.S. 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. 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.. 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. 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. 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. N.J. court backs firing of cop who pepper sprayed suspect in jail cell They cannot resort to excessive force in performing their duties. PDF Inmate Release Report The lawsuit faults Parrey, who is no longer police director, for not flagging Villanuevas pattern of unreasonable force.. The violation of civil rights counts each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. Authorities said Villanueva punched the driver in the face and Inman tackled him. 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. 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 training and New Jersey Attorney Generals guidelines on the use of force each time. 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 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 charges and accusations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and Inman and Villanueva are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Villanueva is charged with two counts of obstruction, and Inman with one count of obstruction, in connection with that incident. 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. Mark Kieffer Jr., was not charged in the indictment and not mentioned by name. 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. In re Villanueva. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the communitys confidence.. Body cam footage obtained by NBC10 shows the man on the ground and crying out in pain while officers are on top of him. Theres no evidence that he was punched at that side of his face.. Mar. (VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED). EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Valley Forge Military Academy Cadet Speaks To CBS3 About Alleged Verbal, Physical Abuse At Hands Of Students. Two Trenton officers involved in arresting Washington after a foot chase in April of 2017 are now facing federal charges. 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. They punched him numerous times while Washington cried out, stop hitting me, and youve got my hands.. Without issuing any warning or command, defendant Villanueva moved swiftly towards victim 1 and punched victim 1 in the face, the indictment states. Villanueva was fired by Trenton police last summer for an alleged pattern of excessive force. NBC10 obtained body cam footage of the incident.. Trenton Police Officer Drew Inman and ex-officer Anthony Villanueva are accused of assaulting a man who was complying with their demands. While the man complied with further police demands, Villanueva punched him in the face and Inman tackled him to the ground, according to investigators. 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]. 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Investigators said he pepper sprayed a defendant while in a holding cell area of Trenton police headquarters. Singletary has said he was visited by fed who wanted to know more about the altercation with Villanueva. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. The appropriate departmental administrative actions will be taken, he said. 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. 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.. 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 10, 2022 - 4:46 PM. 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. Inman, sporting the shaved-head look, was still attired in his Trenton Police garb of a black polo shirt and cargo pants. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. 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 400+ "Anthony Villanueva" profiles | LinkedIn