I dont want you back here because of a mistake. I feel that although [the arrests] are a positive step toward change, its too little too late, she said. While Washington was complying, Villanueva punched him in the face. 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. Officer Anthony Villanueva sprays Quaree Singletary with mace during a lengthy struggle in TPD lockup. Please enter valid email address to continue. With your experience, Im sure youre familiar with your Fifth Amendment rights, Bongiovanni said during the 10-minute court appearance. The maximum fine for each of the charges is $250,000. The lawsuit faults Parrey, who is no longer police director, for not flagging Villanuevas pattern of unreasonable force.. 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.. He plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. 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. When that trust is violated, it makes it more difficult for our fellow police officers and federal agents to maintain the community's confidence.. Both defendants are charged with one count aiding and abetting one another to deprive a man of his civil rights. The man was eventually surrounded by Trenton police officers and complied when he was ordered to put his hands in the air. Officer Drew Inman and former city Officer Anthony Villanueva entered their pleas Wednesday during their arraignments in federal court. 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. 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.. Anthony Villanueva and Drew Inman are charged with assault in the 2017 arrest of Chanzie Washington. He didnt have a taser, he said. 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. Sounds likeVillanueva was under the misconception that police solidarity may is the same if you are a person of color. 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. 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. He is fighting to get his job back. The incident was caught on body camera. He only had three things. 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 . 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.. 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. FAX: 609-989-2275. Villanueva is charged with two counts of obstruction while Inman is charged with one count of obstruction in connection to the incident. "It's a question of respect. 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. "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. 10, 2022 - 4:46 PM. He is also charged with additional civil rights and obstruction counts in connection to a separate incident in November 2017. 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. Villanueva went back to headquarters to help process Washington. Villanueva maced Singletary while he was inside a cell after a dustup that started when, the cop claimed, Singletary refused to get off the phone. Trimboli & Prusinowski, LLC, attorneys for respondent City of Trenton . Villanueva, who has since left the police department, is also charged with assaulting a prisoner in a separate incident. 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. District of New Jersey The false records counts each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The indictment also recounted Villanuevas Nov. 28, 2017 encounter with Quaree Singletary inside TPD headquarters. 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. 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. It isn't entirely clear what is happening in the third video, which was shot from a distance. Newark, NJ 07102, Newark:973-645-2700 I never want to be maced again in my life, Singletary previously told this newspaper. Like our content? 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. The attorney argued that Trenton Police leave their officers unequipped far too often. . 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. Scott Krasny, Inmans attorney, declined to comment. 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. Attorney Robin Lord is seeing her client Chanzie Washington's claims of police brutality vindicated. 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He didnt have a baton. 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. 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. Villanueva was fired by Trenton police last summer for an alleged pattern of excessive force. Trenton, NJ. While the man complied with further police demands, Villanueva punched him in the face and Inman tackled him to the ground, according to investigators. Anthony Villanueva leaves the federal courthouse in Trenton in this April 2019 file photo. 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. DOCKET NO. Accountability starts from the top.. A-4302-18T3 (App. All Rights Reserved. Attorneys Molly Lorber, Joseph Gribko and Ray Mateo of the U.S. Attorney=s Office Criminal Division in Trenton in the criminal case. 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. Ballarotto said his client is being unfairly vilified as a rogue cop, and he believes the ex-TPDer will get cleared. Two Trenton officers involved in arresting Washington after a foot chase in April of 2017 are now facing federal charges. 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. The Newnan Times-Herald. Stephen Varn, who is serving as acting police director while Lt. Chris Doyle is on vacation, confirmed Inmans arrest at TPD headquarters. Trenton Police department was aware of the the investigation and cooperated fully with federal authorities. That came one day after they made their initial court appearances and were each released on $50,000 bail. Trenton attorney Robin Lord represents Washington, Singletary and a third man, Saalam Felton, in separate lawsuits. On Tuesday, Villanueva was arrested by the FBI at his home. The man who the officers arrested is no longer in jail and his eluding and obstruction charges were later dropped. 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.