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. Camden:856-757-5026
I feel that although [the arrests] are a positive step toward change, its too little too late, she said. The two appeared to exchange words in the soundless video moments before tempers flared. Villanueva arrested Felton in March 2017 following a foot pursuit following a reported shooting. 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. Suicide Note Revealed After Shocking Death, Indicted! 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. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. They cannot resort to excessive force in performing their duties. However, the lawsuit painted Singletary as a blameless victim. The video appeared to show Singletary slapping Villanuevas hand away from the phone. There are 400+ professionals named "Anthony Villanueva", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. On Nov. 28, 2017, Villanueva pepper sprayed a prisoner who was confined to a holding cell at Trenton Police Headquarters, according to authorities. FAX: 609-989-2275. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The man was eventually surrounded by the officers and complied when he was ordered to put his hands in the air, officials said. Body camera footage showed Villanueva tracking down, tackling and punching Felton in the head twice from behind following a foot chase in March 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.. Kevin Shea may be reached at [email protected]. While Washington was complying, Villanueva punched him in the face. I never want to be maced again in my life, Singletary previously told this newspaper. As Singletary headed toward his cell and the door closed behind him, the cop sprayed him with the stinging mace, affecting nearby prisoners. 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. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. 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 man tells the officers, Stop hitting me in my face.". Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. He didnt have a flashlight. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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.. Anthony Villanueva leaves the federal courthouse in Trenton in this April 2019 file photo. Without issuing any warning or command, defendant Villanueva moved swiftly towards victim 1 and punched victim 1 in the face, the indictment states. Bongiovanni ordered the government to turn over to the defense the names of any witnesses and victims so there wasnt any confusion. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. / CBS Philadelphia. Authorities say the driver involved in the stop fled in his vehicle and then on foot as officers pursued. All the gun-toting drug dealers in Trenton are all gonna be happy tonight that Anthonys no longer a police officer, Ballarotto said. You can explore additional available newsletters here. Investigators said he pepper sprayed a defendant while in a holding cell area of Trenton police headquarters. Villanueva was assigned to TPD lockup after. 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. 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. Villanueva and Inman, their hands shackled in front of them, appeared Tuesday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni. Dougherty believes the city made a pile of mistakes investigating Villanueva, including not interviewing his client or his supervising sergeant. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Personally, its devastating to him, Hes got a family. 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. DOCKET NO. Its inbred in the academy. He plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. Like our content? 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. Get free summaries of new New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division - Unpublished Opinions opinions delivered to your inbox! The arrest of Inman happened a day after the city introduced new police director Sheilah Coley. On appeal from the New Jersey Civil Service . 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. If you encounter them, you need to promptly notify your [attorneys]. Attorney Robin Lord is seeing her client Chanzie Washington's claims of police brutality vindicated. My eyes burned for like two, three days.. The former officer, Anthony Villanueva, was. It was not immediately clear if that charge was dropped. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. 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 When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the community's confidence.. 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. Singletary was charged with assaulting Villanueva. You're all set! Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. All the charges against Felton were later dropped. With your experience, Im sure youre familiar with your Fifth Amendment rights, Bongiovanni said during the 10-minute court appearance. All say they were beaten up by Villanueva. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. Both men are charged with aiding and abetting one another to deprive a man of his civil rights. "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. provided by mercer county prosecutors office, Chanzie Washington's mugshot after being arrested April 9, 2017. District of New Jersey
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. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Med. |. 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 stated he intended to charge Q.S. Villanueva later completed an incident report that contained numerous false statements designed to conceal his unlawful conduct and improper treatment of the prisoner. 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. Villanueva was fired in June 2018 and was in the process of fighting to get his job back. You already receive all suggested Justia Opinion Summary Newsletters. The man was eventually surrounded by Trenton police officers and complied when he was ordered to put his hands in the air. 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.. 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. Villanueva and Inman were among this group. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. Trenton, NJ. 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. Officer Anthony Villanueva sprays Quaree Singletary with mace during a lengthy struggle in TPD lockup. Mar. 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. Katz & Dougherty, LLC, attorneys for appellant Anthony Villanueva (George T. Dougherty , on the briefs). 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. That came one day after they made their initial court appearances and were each released on $50,000 bail. A-4302-18T3 (App. Each man did not speak other than to acknowledge the judge when she advised them of their right to remain silent. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Police Department Kanifah M. Wood, Trenton Police Department Eric W. Woodrow, West Windsor Police Department. He is also charged with additional civil rights and obstruction counts in connection to a separate incident in November 2017. April 23, 2019 / 6:49 PM Lock The beginning of the videos dont include sound until after Washington is struck, so it is unclear what led the officers to tackle Washington to the ground. Inman and Kieffer III are white and Villanueva is Hispanic. Trenton attorney Robin Lord represents Washington, Singletary and a third man, Saalam Felton, in separate lawsuits. The sound picks up after Washington is already on the ground in the first two videos. Trenton:609-989-2190
Official websites use .gov 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. Video of the incident showed Singletary strolling unaccompanied down the hall leading to the jail cells and entering the cell. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Enter the name of a police department or an officer: Press to expand search. 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. Inman has been with the department a little more than two years and makes more than $57,000 in annual salary. Villanueva claimed Singletary assaulted him during a phone call from jail, then had a long struggle to get him back in a jail cell and handcuffed, forcing him to use pepper spray. Villanueva wore all black, his lean frame topped by a mop of curly jet black hair. Villanueva also faces charges in connection to another incident in which he allegedly pepper sprayed a defendant in a holding cell. 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. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. The attorney argued that Trenton Police leave their officers unequipped far too often. Washington complied, according to the indictment, and placed his hands on the fence. Theres no evidence that he was punched at that side of his face.. Villanueva and Inman were each ordered released on $50,000 unsecured bonds with conditions. 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. Surrounded by police officers, Washington complied when told to raise his hands, according to authorities. Officers try to subdue Quaree Singletary during a lengthy struggle in police lockup. 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. Attorneys Molly Lorber, Joseph Gribko and Ray Mateo of the U.S. Attorney=s Office Criminal Division in Trenton in the criminal case. He was also seen walking coming down the hall shaking the pepper spray as he approached Singletarys cell. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Lord was pleased somebody from law enforcement was paying attention and holding these officers accountable for their criminal conduct. Body cam footage obtained by NBC10 shows the man on the ground and crying out in pain while officers are on top of him. Accountability starts from the top.. Date published: Jan 28, 2021. A lock ( 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. Anthony Villanueva, then 25, after leaving U.S. District Court in Trenton in an April 2019 file photo.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Med. On April 9, 2017, Chanzie Washington, of Trenton, fled a routine traffic stop on foot, according to authorities. 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. Inman is still on restricted duty and Kieffer III is on the streets. Anthony Villanueva, Trenton Police Department Adam L. Wills, Pemberton Twp. But there was no long struggle, the OAL judge found. Thats not what this was.. The indictment recounts the chase from start to finish, as Washington ended up at the banks of the Delaware and Raritan Canal. Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. Villanueva also faces three civil lawsuits from Washington, Singletary, and Salaam Felton. He is fighting to get his job back. All Rights Reserved. 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. The false records counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. The video includes body cameras from three officers, but not from Villanueva or Inman. 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. Inman was arrested at the Trenton Police Station Tuesday morning and is now suspended. Ballarotto said his client cooperated with the feds and testified at an administrative law hearing. 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.. As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. 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. They are accused of assaulting a man during a traffic stop in 2017. The Trentonian reported on those dustups, both of which were caught on tape. Thats his gun, his physical strength and his courage.. 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 . They cannot resort to excessive force in performing their duties. Felton said in suit that he was beaten so badly during his arrest he suffered bleeding on the brain and other injuries. 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.