All Rights Reserved. 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. Washington complied, according to the indictment, and placed his hands on the fence. Investigators said he pepper sprayed a defendant while in a holding cell area of Trenton police headquarters. Authorities say the driver involved in the stop fled in his vehicle and then on foot as officers pursued. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the communitys confidence.. The video appeared to show Singletary slapping Villanuevas hand away from the phone. 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. 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. While Washington was complying, Villanueva punched him in the face. 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. 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. Attorney Robin Lord is seeing her client Chanzie Washington's claims of police brutality vindicated. 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. Like our content? Camden:856-757-5026 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. Mark Kieffer Jr., was not charged in the indictment and not mentioned by name. 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 video includes body cameras from three officers, but not from Villanueva or Inman. 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. NBC10 obtained body cam footage of the incident.. The charges and accusations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and Inman and Villanueva are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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. 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. 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Ballarotto said his client is being unfairly vilified as a rogue cop, and he believes the ex-TPDer will get cleared. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Thats what the video shows. The lawsuit faults Parrey, who is no longer police director, for not flagging Villanuevas pattern of unreasonable force.. Anthony Villanueva leaves the federal courthouse in Trenton in this April 2019 file photo. 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. 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. Inman and Villanueva returned to the police station to prepare reports in connection with the victims arrest. I feel that although [the arrests] are a positive step toward change, its too little too late, she said. Trimboli & Prusinowski, LLC, attorneys for respondent City of Trenton . FAX: 856-968-4917 Without issuing any warning or command, defendant Villanueva moved swiftly towards victim 1 and punched victim 1 in the face, the indictment states. They cannot resort to excessive force in performing their duties. 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 . Trenton Police Officer Drew Inman and ex-officer Anthony Villanueva are accused of assaulting a man who was complying with their demands. You're all set! Trenton:609-989-2190 A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Two Trenton officers involved in arresting Washington after a foot chase in April of 2017 are now facing federal charges. Hearing Impaired: 856-968-4983 The man was eventually surrounded by Trenton police officers and complied when he was ordered to put his hands in the air. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. with assault on a police officer, which required that Q.S. But there was no long struggle, the OAL judge found. Hearing Impaired: 973-645-6227 Villanuevas charges also related to his macing of a suspect in police lockup in 2017, according to the six-count indictment. Villanueva also faces charges in connection to another incident in which he allegedly pepper sprayed a defendant in a holding cell. 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. This is not a Rodney King situation, he said. _____ Submitted January 12, 2021 - Decided Before Judges Haas, Mawla, and Natali. The city of Trenton police officers, the majority of them, do not have any respect for the citizens, they just absolutely do not," Lord said. 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. Villanueva is charged with two counts of obstruction, and Inman with one count of obstruction, in connection with that incident. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Villanueva stated he intended to charge Q.S. Get free summaries of new New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division - Unpublished Opinions opinions delivered to your inbox! 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In the footage below, the officers are heard yelling at Washington. Theres no evidence that he was punched at that side of his face.. He is fighting to get his job back. The two appeared to exchange words in the soundless video moments before tempers flared. / CBS Philadelphia. And then you have the old regime supervising these people. 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 whole scuffle was caught on surveillance cameras and the footage was released to The Trentonian. . 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. 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. 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. ANTHONY VILLANUEVA, CITY OF TRENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. Div. Officers try to subdue Quaree Singletary during a lengthy struggle in police lockup. Lock 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. 10, 2022 - 4:46 PM. Enter the name of a police department or an officer: Press to expand search. Villanueva was fired by Trenton police last summer for an alleged pattern of excessive force. 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. Attorneys Molly Lorber, Joseph Gribko and Ray Mateo of the U.S. Attorney=s Office Criminal Division in Trenton in the criminal case. 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. Sitting next to their attorneys, they remained quiet as U.S. assistant attorney Joseph Gribko briefly recapped the case against them. We will have problems if you do.. 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. 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. There are 400+ professionals named "Anthony Villanueva", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. 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. The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. 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. 3/5/2023 6529843 reed anthony 3/5/2023 6391927 reyes ignacio 3/5/2023 6553956 rodriguez jonatan 3/5/2023 6547498 salinas ricardo . They are charged with violating Washington's civil rights and falsifying police reports to characterize him as the aggressor. Inman and Kieffer III are white and Villanueva is Hispanic. 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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. Trenton Police department was aware of the the investigation and cooperated fully with federal authorities. Villanueva wore all black, his lean frame topped by a mop of curly jet black hair. 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 number of officers went around to the other side of the fence, including one officer equipped with a body camera. Inmans lawyer has declined to comment. The incident was recorded on other officers body cams. 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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. 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 also faces three civil lawsuits from Washington, Singletary, and Salaam Felton. 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. As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. Former officer Anthony Villanueva and current officer Drew Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon. Villanueva is also charged with depriving a second man of his civil rights in a separate incident, and with obstruction related to that second incident. Trenton, NJ. 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. I never want to be maced again in my life, Singletary previously told this newspaper. 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.. On Nov. 28, 2017, Villanueva pepper sprayed a prisoner who was confined to a holding cell at Trenton Police Headquarters, according to authorities. Newark, NJ 07102, Newark:973-645-2700 Each man did not speak other than to acknowledge the judge when she advised them of their right to remain silent. All rights reserved (About Us). The incident was caught on body camera. It was not immediately clear if that charge was dropped. TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- Two Trenton police officers are now in trouble with the law. Trenton, GA Cureton , Phillip Lebron 2/15/1977 9846 W Ridge Trail Rd - Soddy Daisy, TN Curington , Jessica Lee 9/28/1979 Mar. 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. The former officer, Anthony Villanueva, was. The man was eventually surrounded by the officers and complied when he was ordered to put his hands in the air, officials said. All rights reserved, Philly POPS Musicians Disappointed' by Recent Moves, Trump Supporters Get Parole in Philadelphia Weapons Case, Check Your Change! The man tells the officers, Stop hitting me in my face.". 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. TRENTON, NJ - Two Trenton police officers have been arrested by federal agents and charged with assault and obstruction of justice, authorities announced on Tuesday. Personally, its devastating to him, Hes got a family. Villanueva has several other issues pending from his four years on the Trenton police force, which all occurred in 2017. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The FBI was investigating Inman, former TPD officer Anthony Villanueva, and Mark Kieffer III in connection with the April 2017 arrest of Chanzie Washington. As Singletary headed toward his cell and the door closed behind him, the cop sprayed him with the stinging mace, affecting nearby prisoners. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. 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. Chanzie Washington was pummeled by cops during an arrest in April 2017. 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 maximum fine for each of the charges is $250,000. Body cam footage obtained by NBC10 shows the man on the ground and crying out in pain while officers are on top of him. It isn't entirely clear what is happening in the third video, which was shot from a distance. Ballarotto said his client cooperated with the feds and testified at an administrative law hearing. A locked padlock His father was a police officer. 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 Trenton police officers chased him down. Search the most comprehensive statewide database of police use of force in the U.S. 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 violation of civil rights counts each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. 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. 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. The arresting departments are noted: Coweta County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), Chattahoochee Hills Police Department (CHPD . He was assisted that night by a police aide (the aide). Trenton attorney Robin Lord represents Washington, Singletary and a third man, Saalam Felton, in separate lawsuits. be arrested and re-processed. EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Valley Forge Military Academy Cadet Speaks To CBS3 About Alleged Verbal, Physical Abuse At Hands Of Students. All say they were beaten up by Villanueva. That decision was then adopted by the states Civil Service Commission. They are accused of assaulting a man during a traffic stop in 2017. 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. Both men are charged with aiding and abetting one another to deprive a man of his civil rights. Villanueva was assigned to TPD lockup after. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Almost immediately thereafter, defendant Villanueva strode quickly down the corridor after victim 2, towards Cell 7, carrying a can of Oleoresin Capsicum, also known as OC spray or pepper spray., It goes on to say Villanueva reached through the bars and sprayed OC spray into Cell 7, while victim 2 attempted to shield himself with a mattress.. I know its a small community, the judge told the defendants. They cannot resort to excessive force in performing their duties. He didnt have a baton. 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. 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. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Washington and Salaam Felton, now of St. Charles, Missouri, also claimed in separate lawsuits they were beaten to a pulp by Villanueva. "It's a question of respect. Dougherty believes the city made a pile of mistakes investigating Villanueva, including not interviewing his client or his supervising sergeant. As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. 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. Singletary, who is no stranger to cops having been arrested multiple times, told The Trentonian in a previous interview he remembered asking Villanueva why he ended his call. 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 video shows a fence separated Washington from most of the officers, who had their guns trained on him. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. The attorney argued that Trenton Police leave their officers unequipped far too often. While the man complied with further police demands, Villanueva punched him in the face and Inman tackled him to the ground, according to investigators. On April 9, 2017 in Trenton, New Jersey, Chanzie Washington allegedly led cops on a car chase and then ran on foot. 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. 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. 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. 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. She sounded indignant as she discussed her decades-long struggle to help clients who described being beaten up and abused by TPD officers. Anthony Villanueva and Drew Inman are charged with assault in the 2017 arrest of Chanzie Washington. 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. 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. He plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. All the charges against Felton were later dropped. Aerotek Mark Anthony Villanueva TPD Officer Drew Inman, center, was caught on tape punching a suspect in the face while other cops placed him in cuffs. Bongiovanni ordered the government to turn over to the defense the names of any witnesses and victims so there wasnt any confusion. Singletary has said he was visited by fed who wanted to know more about the altercation with Villanueva. Inman has been with the department a little more than two years and makes more than $57,000 in annual salary. Police Department Kanifah M. Wood, Trenton Police Department Eric W. Woodrow, West Windsor Police Department. 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.