anthony villanueva trenton police

Lock Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. Former officer Anthony Villanueva and current officer Drew Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon. I feel that although [the arrests] are a positive step toward change, its too little too late, she said. They punched him numerous times while Washington cried out, stop hitting me, and youve got my hands.. On April 9, 2017 in Trenton, New Jersey, Chanzie Washington allegedly led cops on a car chase and then ran on foot. 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. Ballarotto plans to hire a police expert to testify that the officer's physicality was within the law. Footage from the incident that was obtained by The Trentonian via public records request can be seen below. Capt. 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.. The false records counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. 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. Ballarotto said his client cooperated with the feds and testified at an administrative law hearing. First published on April 23, 2019 / 6:49 PM. Former officer Anthony Villanueva and current officer Drew Inman appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon. 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 leaves the federal courthouse in Trenton in this April 2019 file photo. 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.. Police Department Kanifah M. Wood, Trenton Police Department Eric W. Woodrow, West Windsor Police Department. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. He plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. All the charges against Felton were later dropped. Villanueva arrested Felton in March 2017 following a foot pursuit following a reported shooting. Authorities say the driver involved in the stop fled in his vehicle and then on foot as officers pursued. 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. 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. I never want to be maced again in my life, Singletary previously told this newspaper. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Med. Swung his arm around his neck and brought him to the ground, he said. Mar. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 11 Powerful Images At The Womens March 2018, Your email will be shared with newsone.com and subject to its, Every Receipt Proving Candace Owens Is A Con Artist Who Is Following The Money, Celebrating The Black History Of Memorial Day, Never Forget: Obamas Tan Suit Media Firestorm Was 7 Years Ago Today. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. Washington and Salaam Felton, now of St. Charles, Missouri, also claimed in separate lawsuits they were beaten to a pulp by Villanueva. 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. Inman and Villanueva returned to the police station to prepare reports in connection with the victims arrest. 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. 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. 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. A locked padlock With your experience, Im sure youre familiar with your Fifth Amendment rights, Bongiovanni said during the 10-minute court appearance. He didnt have a taser, he said. provided by mercer county prosecutors office, Chanzie Washington's mugshot after being arrested April 9, 2017. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Trenton attorney Robin Lord represents Washington, Singletary and a third man, Saalam Felton, in separate lawsuits. 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. Inman is not charged in the Singletary incident. Villanueva, who was standing on the same side of the chain-link fence, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, the feds alleged. On Nov. 28, 2017, Villanueva pepper sprayed a prisoner who was confined to a holding cell at Trenton Police Headquarters, according to authorities. 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. Quaree Singletary uses a bed mattress to shield himself from mace during a struggle in TPD lockup. 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. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). In re Villanueva. They are charged with violating Washington's civil rights and falsifying police reports to characterize him as the aggressor. 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. TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- Two Trenton police officers are now in trouble with the law. The former officer, Anthony Villanueva, was indicted by federal government for the 2017 incident on accusations he deprived the man of his civil rights. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. In the second incident, Villanueva is charged with depriving a man of his civil rights and obstruction of justice. Stephen Varn, who is serving as acting police director while Lt. Chris Doyle is on vacation, confirmed Inmans arrest at TPD headquarters. 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. The two appeared to exchange words in the soundless video moments before tempers flared. I believe that if my client gets a fair hearing he wont be charged.. The indictment was unsealed on Tuesday, and they were both scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon. ANTHONY VILLANUEVA, CITY OF TRENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. The public has an absolute right to trust that law enforcement will protect those they serve and keep them safe. provided by mercer county prosecutors office, Chanzie Washington's mugshot after being arrested April 9, 2017. 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. Another officer ordered Washington to climb over the fence toward him. "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. They also took Officer Inman into custody at Trenton police headquarters. The man was eventually surrounded by Trenton police officers and complied when he was ordered to put his hands in the air. Villanueva filed a written report later that night setting forth his account of what happened next. Villanueva is charged with two counts of obstruction while Inman is charged with one count of obstruction in connection to the incident. On November 28, 2017, Villanueva was on duty at the Trenton Police Department Detention Center. The violation of civil rights counts each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The arrest of Inman happened a day after the city introduced new police director Sheilah Coley. FAX: 609-989-2275. By The Newnan Times-Herald. 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. "It's perfectly proper the way he handled himself," Villanueva's attorney, Jerome Ballarotto, said. Inman was arrested at the Trenton Police Station Tuesday morning and is now suspended. Sounds likeVillanueva was under the misconception that police solidarity may is the same if you are a person of color. Its inbred all over. 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 FAX: 856-968-4917 TRENTON, NJ - Two Trenton police officers have been arrested by federal agents and charged with assault and obstruction of justice, authorities announced on Tuesday. It burns. All Rights Reserved. The attorney argued that Trenton Police leave their officers unequipped far too often. Body cam footage obtained by NBC10 shows the man on the ground and crying out in pain while officers are on top of him. Villanueva also faces charges in connection to another incident in which he allegedly pepper sprayed a defendant in a holding cell. The video includes body cameras from three officers, but not from Villanueva or Inman. "It's a question of respect. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, Pa. Woman Went Missing in 1992 and Declared Dead. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Trenton police officers chased him down. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Villanueva is charged with two counts of obstruction, and Inman with one count of obstruction. The former officer, Anthony Villanueva, was. As the cell door began to close and was almost shut, Villanueva sprayed the chemical agent inside. You can explore additional available newsletters here. Two Trenton officers involved in arresting Washington after a foot chase in April of 2017 are now facing federal charges. The incident was recorded on other officers body cams. The video shows a fence separated Washington from most of the officers, who had their guns trained on him. The man tells the officers, Stop hitting me in my face.". The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. 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. The Trenton Police Department has punished a number of officers accused of conduct unbecoming a public servant since the turn of the century, culminating with the recent firing of patrol. Singletary and his attorneys may be banking on power in numbers. 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. 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 federal case against them was initially scheduled for trial in 2020, but has been repeatedly postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. We will have problems if you do.. 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. 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. 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. He is also charged with additional civil rights and obstruction counts in connection to a separate incident in November 2017. A lock ( Felton said in suit that he was beaten so badly during his arrest he suffered bleeding on the brain and other injuries. 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. 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). Have a question about Government Services? . Body camera footage showed Villanueva tracking down, tackling and punching Felton in the head twice from behind following a foot chase in March 2017. He is fighting to get his job back. 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. 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. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Valley Forge Military Academy Cadet Speaks To CBS3 About Alleged Verbal, Physical Abuse At Hands Of Students. Officer Anthony Villanueva sprays Quaree Singletary with mace during a lengthy struggle in TPD lockup. 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 are accused of assaulting a man during a traffic stop in 2017. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Inman, who was creeping from behind, tackled Washington to the ground as both officers repeatedly punched him while he screamed out in pain, Stop hitting me in the face, and youve got my hands, according to the indictment. 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. There are 400+ professionals named "Anthony Villanueva", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. 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. 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. DOCKET NO. Thats what the video shows. Washington jumped into the canal and swam to the opposite bank, climbing up a steep, brush-lined embankment near a parking lot. Bongiovanni ordered the government to turn over to the defense the names of any witnesses and victims so there wasnt any confusion. 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. Singletary, who also sued Villanueva and the department over his treatment that day, told the newspaper in a previous interview his eyes burned for like two, three days after he was maced. Singletary was charged with assaulting Villanueva. As I reached for the phone, Singletary smacked my hand out of the way.. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. 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.