Both Inman and Villanueva were granted unsecured bail on Tuesday, meaning they can go home. As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. All Rights Reserved. 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. Villanueva and Inman knowingly made numerous misrepresentations, false statements and omissions in an effort to portray Victim 1 as the aggressor and an ongoing threat, the indictment says. Dougherty believes the city made a pile of mistakes investigating Villanueva, including not interviewing his client or his supervising sergeant. Ballarotto said his client is being unfairly vilified as a rogue cop, and he believes the ex-TPDer will get cleared. 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. 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. Villanueva was fired by the police department, and is the subject of three excessive force lawsuits, according to The Trentonian. Inman, sporting the shaved-head look, was still attired in his Trenton Police garb of a black polo shirt and cargo pants. "It's perfectly proper the way he handled himself," Villanueva's attorney, Jerome Ballarotto, said. Theres no evidence that he was punched at that side of his face.. 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. 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. If you encounter them, you need to promptly notify your [attorneys]. 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. The man was eventually surrounded by Trenton police officers and complied when he was ordered to put his hands in the air. Villanueva and Inman, their hands shackled in front of them, appeared Tuesday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni. Inman and Villanueva returned to the police station to prepare reports in connection with the victims arrest. Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. You already receive all suggested Justia Opinion Summary Newsletters. 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. 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. But there was no long struggle, the OAL judge found. Capt. The maximum fine for each of the charges is $250,000. The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. While the man complied with further police demands, Villanueva punched him in the face and Inman tackled him to the ground, according to investigators. 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. 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. You're all set! The violation of civil rights counts each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. He is also charged with additional civil rights and obstruction counts in connection to a separate incident in November 2017. Enter the name of a police department or an officer: Press to expand search. 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. Its a whole family of public servants in the city of Trenton, he said. 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. Sitting next to their attorneys, they remained quiet as U.S. assistant attorney Joseph Gribko briefly recapped the case against them. Inman is still on restricted duty and Kieffer III is on the streets. 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 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. All Rights Reserved. . The video also captured Villanueva bragging about the arrest later on a phone call. Former officer Anthony Villanueva and current officer Drew Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon. 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. The counts against both officers stem from a traffic stop on April 9, 2017, in Trenton. Katz & Dougherty, LLC, attorneys for appellant Anthony Villanueva (George T. Dougherty , on the briefs). The appeals court fully backed the OAL judge, Jeff Masin, in his findings that Villanueva was properly terminated. All rights reserved (About Us). They cannot resort to excessive force in performing their duties. On November 28, 2017, Villanueva was on duty at the Trenton Police Department Detention Center. Villanueva was assigned to TPD lockup after. 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. / CBS Philadelphia. They are charged with violating Washington's civil rights and falsifying police reports to characterize him as the aggressor. 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.. 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. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. 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. . The whole scuffle was caught on surveillance cameras and the footage was released to The Trentonian. It burns. 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. Villanueva is charged with two counts of obstruction, and Inman with one count of obstruction, in connection with that incident. They are accused of assaulting a man during a traffic stop in 2017. 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. He plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. 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. _____ Submitted January 12, 2021 - Decided Before Judges Haas, Mawla, and Natali. Like our content? Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the community's confidence.. On Nov. 28, 2017, Villanueva pepper sprayed a prisoner who was confined to a holding cell at Trenton Police Headquarters, according to authorities. We will have problems if you do.. He allegedly later completed an incident report that contained numerous false statements to conceal his conduct. Villanuevas charges also related to his macing of a suspect in police lockup in 2017, according to the six-count indictment. That came one day after they made their initial court appearances and were each released on $50,000 bail. You dont want to come back here. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. Trenton, GA Cureton , Phillip Lebron 2/15/1977 9846 W Ridge Trail Rd - Soddy Daisy, TN Curington , Jessica Lee 9/28/1979 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. However, the lawsuit painted Singletary as a blameless victim. The false records counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Felton said in suit that he was beaten so badly during his arrest he suffered bleeding on the brain and other injuries. Newark, NJ 07102, Newark:973-645-2700 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. 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. "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. Villanueva and Inman were among this group. Suicide Note Revealed After Shocking Death, Indicted! A police aide rushed to try to help subdue Singletary, who allegedly elbowed Villanueva during the altercation. The arresting departments are noted: Coweta County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), Chattahoochee Hills Police Department (CHPD . Have a question about Government Services? He was fired in June 2018. The two appeared to exchange words in the soundless video moments before tempers flared. Passaic Clinton, Hunterdon Trenton, Mercer Tuckerton, Ocean Union Beach, Monmouth Union City, Hudson Union Township, . All rights reserved, Philly POPS Musicians Disappointed' by Recent Moves, Trump Supporters Get Parole in Philadelphia Weapons Case, Check Your Change! You can explore additional available newsletters here. Villanuevas attorney, Jerome Ballarotto, insists his client didnt punch the man however. Official websites use .gov Bongiovanni ordered the government to turn over to the defense the names of any witnesses and victims so there wasnt any confusion. Villanueva is charged with two counts of obstruction, and Inman with one count of obstruction. Its inbred in the academy. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. The charges and accusations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and Inman and Villanueva are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Its inbred in them. Villanueva grabbed a bottle of mace from the detention area. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. Authorities said Villanueva punched the driver in the face and Inman tackled him. provided by mercer county prosecutors office, Chanzie Washington's mugshot after being arrested April 9, 2017. Trenton, NJ. 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 Two Trenton officers involved in arresting Washington after a foot chase in April of 2017 are now facing federal charges. FAX: 609-989-2275. 10, 2022 - 4:46 PM. A lock ( He didnt have a flashlight. Trimboli & Prusinowski, LLC, attorneys for respondent City of Trenton . Its inbred in internal affairs. 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.