Tag:

Civil Rights

Passaic County Jail Officer Admits Bringing Inmate To 'Blind Spot' For Beating By Colleagues Passaic County Jail Officer Admits Bringing Inmate To 'Blind Spot' For Beating By Colleagues
Passaic County Jail Officer Admits Bringing Inmate To 'Blind Spot' For Beating By Colleagues 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A Passaic County correctional officer admitted that he brought an inmate to a "blind spot" at the county jail so two colleagues could beat him for squirting one of them with urine. Officer Lorenzo Bowden, 39, initially agreed with Sgt. Jose Gonzalez and Sgt. Donald Vinales not to talk after they'd received federal grand jury subpoenas two years ago this month, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Bowden eventually had a change of heart. The pretrial detainee was "transported through an area of the PCJ that does not have a video surveillance camera, which correctional officers …
Former DC Corrections Officer Admits To Assaulting Handcuffed Inmate, Feds Say Former DC Corrections Officer Admits To Assaulting Handcuffed Inmate, Feds Say
Former DC Corrections Officer Admits To Assaulting Handcuffed Inmate, Feds Say A former District of Columbia Department of Corrections officer who assaulted a handcuffed inmate has admitted to using unreasonable force, federal authorities announced. Marcus Bias, 27, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law after being charged late last year for an alleged incident more than three years ago. According to court documents, while working as a corrections officer, Bias pushed a handcuffed pre-trial detainee's head into a metal doorframe while escorting him within the Department of Corrections on June 12, 2019, causing an …
6 Southwick Teens Held Mock 'Slave Auction,' Made Racist Comments On Social Media: DA 6 Southwick Teens Held Mock 'Slave Auction,' Made Racist Comments On Social Media: DA
6 Southwick Teens Held Mock 'Slave Auction,' Made Racist Comments On Social Media: DA Six Hampden County eighth-grade students have been charged in juvenile court after chat logs were discovered where they made threats against minority students, used racist slurs, shared racist memes and comments, and held a mock "slave auction" for two black classmates, authorities said.  Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni held a press conference on Thursday, March 14, explaining his decision to charge the Southwick Regional School students. He called their online chat "vile, cruel, and contemptible" in a news release.  Hatred and racism have no place in this community. …
No Charges For Metropolitan Police Officers Involved In Fatal DC Shooting: Prosecutors No Charges For Metropolitan Police Officers Involved In Fatal DC Shooting: Prosecutors
No Charges For Metropolitan Police Officers Involved In Fatal DC Shooting: Prosecutors There will be no charges for a pair of officers from the Metropolitan Police Department for their role in a fatal shooting last year involving a 33-year-old District resident, according to federal investigators. The US Attorney's Office announced that there is insufficient evidence to pursue criminal or civil rights charges for their roles in an officer-involved shooting in Southeast DC in October 2023 that left Arthur Porter dead. According to prosecutors, at around 5 p.m. on Oct. 19 last year, the officers were called to the 2800 block of Gainesville Street SE, where there were reports of…
NJ Prison Officer Admits Looking Other Way While Inmates Were Beaten, Brutalized NJ Prison Officer Admits Looking Other Way While Inmates Were Beaten, Brutalized
NJ Prison Officer Admits Looking Other Way While Inmates Were Beaten, Brutalized 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: Nine months after a former corrections officer at a New Jersey prison was sentenced to 2½ years behind bars for admitting that he brutalized inmates in what one victim called a “fight club," a second officer cut his own deal with federal prosecutors. Joshua Hand, 34, of Millville, admitted in federal court in Camden on Monday, Feb. 26, that he stood by while two prisoners were being assaulted by fellow inmates at Bayside State Prison in Leesburg, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Hand violated both inmates' civil rights by not stopping their assailants or reporting the in…
Paterson Police Officer Pleads Guilty To Using Excessive Force Twice: Prosecutors Paterson Police Officer Pleads Guilty To Using Excessive Force Twice: Prosecutors
Paterson Police Officer Pleads Guilty To Using Excessive Force Twice: Prosecutors A 32-year-old Wayne resident and Paterson police officer pleaded guilty on Thursday, Feb. 8 to using excessive force during two separate arrests in late 2020, the US Attorney's Office announced. On Nov. 26, 2020, Kevin Patino responded to a call for backup from a police officer attempting to disperse a crowd on Main Street in Paterson, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Patino got into an altercation with a person getting into verbal exchange with the officer, pushing them into the street, Sellinger said. Patino then threw them to the ground and proceeded to repeatedly strike them, Selling…
Devoted Maryland Nursing Educator Jane Solberg Dies, 33 Devoted Maryland Nursing Educator Jane Solberg Dies, 33
Devoted Maryland Nursing Educator Jane Solberg Dies, 33 Tributes are pouring in for Jane Jordan Solberg, a devoted nursing educator from Howard County who died Sunday, Dec. 31 at the age of 33. Born in Georgia, Jane graduated from the McDonogh School with honors in 2008, discovering her passion for theater, singing, and dancing along the way, her obituary says. She went on to pursue a career in nursing and eventually earned an advanced degree during the COVID pandemic. Upon graduating, Jane taught nursing at several different institutions and was incredibly dedicated to her work. “She loved her students, and they loved her,” reads her obituar…
Correctional Officer From Baltimore Gets Time For Sexually Abusing Inmates At MD Prison: Feds Correctional Officer From Baltimore Gets Time For Sexually Abusing Inmates At MD Prison: Feds
Correctional Officer From Baltimore Gets Time For Sexually Abusing Inmates At MD Prison: Feds A former correctional officer in Maryland will spend years on the other side of the bars after admitting to violating prisoners' civil rights, prosecutors say. Baltimore native Owen Nesmith, 54, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, June 20, to multiple charges that include the depravation of rights under the color of law and making false statements for having sexual contact with victims at the Maryland Correctional Institution in Jessup. On Thursday, officials announced that Nesmith has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for abusing the inmates. Nesmith was the acting lieutenant at…
Hoboken Mayor Announces Congressional Run, Primarying Menendez Hoboken Mayor Announces Congressional Run, Primarying Menendez
Hoboken Mayor Announces Congressional Run, Primarying Menendez Ravi Bhalla, the mayor of Hoboken, announced Tuesday, Dec. 12, he is running for Congress in New Jersey's 8th Congressional District. Bhalla will be primarying incumbent Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City), the son of Senator Robert Menendez, who was recently indicted on federal corruption charges. The younger Menendez, who has represented the 8th district since 2023, has not been accused of any wrongdoing.  Menendez announced in September he was running for re-election for a second term and has already received endorsements from numerous elected officials in Hudson County. In a video announ…
Scathing Report: Police Trainers Glorified Violence, Demeaned Women At NJ Seminar (VIDEOS) Scathing Report: Police Trainers Glorified Violence, Demeaned Women At NJ Seminar (VIDEOS)
Scathing Report: Police Trainers Glorified Violence, Demeaned Women At NJ Seminar (Videos) The Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) showed no mercy to a New Jersey-based organization that they said preached unconstitutional policing tactics and  demeaned women at a massive training conference paid for using thousands of dollars in public funding. The OSC made a video montage of just some of the 100 instances of "discriminatory and harassing comments" made at the October 2021 seminar held by Street Cop in Atlantic City, included in its scathing report announcing the findings of its investigation. Approximately 1,000 law enforcement officers from across the U.S. gathered…
State Slams Paterson Handyman Who Refused To Serve Jewish Clients State Slams Paterson Handyman Who Refused To Serve Jewish Clients
State Slams Paterson Handyman Who Refused To Serve Jewish Clients A handyman from Paterson was ordered to immediately stop refusing to serve Jews and take several remedial steps or face serious charges, state authorities in Trenton said on Thursday. Melquisedec Francis must satisfy eight specific demands to keep from being prosecuted, including announcing that he no longer discriminates against Jewish customers, attending training on anti-Semitism and paying a fine, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said on Nov. 30. In advertisements on TaskRabbit and elsewhere last month, Francis wrote: "I am expressing my solidarity with the Palestinian Peopl…
Longtime Mount Vernon Resident Announces Run To Become Westchester's First Black DA Longtime Mount Vernon Resident Announces Run To Become Westchester's First Black DA
Longtime Mount Vernon Resident Announces Run To Become Westchester's First Black DA A Westchester native with years of experience in civil rights cases has announced his candidacy to become the county's first Black district attorney.  Mount Vernon native and attorney William O. Wagstaff III announced his candidacy for the Westchester County District Attorney's office on Monday, Nov. 20.  Wagstaff's candidacy announcement comes nearly a month after the county's current District Attorney, Miriam Rocah, announced she would not be seeking re-election in 2024.  Earlier Report - Westchester DA Rocah Won't Seek Re-Election: 'I Do Not Fit Mold Of Career Polit…
State Department Official From Chevy Chase Resigns Over Biden's Support For Israel State Department Official From Chevy Chase Resigns Over Biden's Support For Israel
State Department Official From Chevy Chase Resigns Over Biden's Support For Israel Senior US State Department official Josh Paul has stepped down from his position amid President Joe Biden's response to the Israel-Hamas conflict overseas, he says. After more than 11 years with the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM), Paul announced his resignation in an open letter on LinkedIn, citing a promise the Maryland native made to himself that conflicts with the current regime's handling of the ongoing war.   Paul said that he is leaving his position because "in our current course with regards to the continued - indeed, expanded and expedited - provision of lethal …
Former US Capitol Police Officer Admits To Violating Civil Rights In Hit-Run Crash: Prosecutors Former US Capitol Police Officer Admits To Violating Civil Rights In Hit-Run Crash: Prosecutors
Former US Capitol Police Officer Admits To Violating Civil Rights In Hit-Run Crash: Prosecutors The former US Capitol Police officer who engaged in an illegal pursuit and attempted to cover it up has copped to the crime, federal authorities announced. Thomas Smith, 46, pleaded guilty this week to violating civil rights by "recklessly engaging in a dangerous pursuit and being deliberately indifferent to the danger he created."  According to court documents, on June 20, 2020, Smith was on duty conducting security checks at the homes of members of Congress in Georgetown when he began to pursue a pair riding motorized cycles, even though such pursuits are prohibited by the department…
'Want To Feel Pain?': Bridgeton Cop Who Pepper-Sprayed Handcuffed Driver Pleads Guilty 'Want To Feel Pain?': Bridgeton Cop Who Pepper-Sprayed Handcuffed Driver Pleads Guilty
'Want To Feel Pain?': Bridgeton Cop Who Pepper-Sprayed Handcuffed Driver Pleads Guilty A South Jersey police officer admitted in federal court to using excessive force when he twice pepper-sprayed a drunken but cooperative driver while handcuffed in 2017, authorities announced. John Grier III, 51, of Cedarville — who was indicted in 2021 — pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in Camden in federal court on Thursday, Oct. 5, to a superseding information charging him with one count of violating an individual’s civil rights, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. A sworn Bridgeton police officer since 2004, Grier's admission is in connection with an…
NJ Veterans Homes Where Pandemic Deaths Soared Violated Residents' Civil Rights, Feds Find NJ Veterans Homes Where Pandemic Deaths Soared Violated Residents' Civil Rights, Feds Find
NJ Veterans Homes Where Pandemic Deaths Soared Violated Residents' Civil Rights, Feds Find UPDATE: State-run veterans homes in Paramus and Menlo Park violated the civil rights of their residents during the COVID pandemic and must correct policies and procedures going forward, federal authorities said Thursday. COVID killed more than 200 residents and staff at New Jersey's veterans’ homes, which was among the highest in the entire country. The pandemic claimed a total of 103 residents at the Memorial Veterans Home in Edison and 89 at the Paramus Veterans Memorial Home, according to New Jersey's Department of Health. The state to this point has paid nearly $70 million to settle la…
Mount Vernon Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes: Feds Mount Vernon Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes: Feds
Mount Vernon Sergeant Indicted After Tasing Handcuffed Victim 7 Times in 2 Minutes: Feds A Westchester Sergeant faces federal charges after tasing a handcuffed victim seven times in the span of two minutes and violating their rights in the process, officials said.  Brooklyn resident Mario Stewart, age 44, a Sergeant with the Mount Vernon Police Department, has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly using excessive force against a handcuffed individual in a March 2019 incident, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, July 20.  According to federal officials, at the time of the incident, Stewart had been …
Harrison Fire Department Discriminated Against Female Member, Must Pay Her $425K: Feds Harrison Fire Department Discriminated Against Female Member, Must Pay Her $425K: Feds
Harrison Fire Department Discriminated Against Female Member, Must Pay Her $425K: Feds As the result of a settled federal civil rights lawsuit, a town and fire department in Westchester have been ordered to pay a former female member one of the largest-ever payments by a municipality in an employment discrimination case brought on behalf of a single person, officials said.  The payment is a result of a settled federal civil rights lawsuit that alleged the town of Harrison and the Harrison Fire Department discriminated against a former female firefighter, Angela Bommarito, based on her sex and failed to take disciplinary action against a male firefighter who even…
No Charges For FBI Agent Who Fatally Shot Man At Metro Center Station In DC: Feds No Charges For FBI Agent Who Fatally Shot Man At Metro Center Station In DC: Feds
No Charges For FBI Agent Who Fatally Shot Man At Metro Center Station In DC: Feds There will be no charges filed against an FBI agent who shot and killed a 28-year-old man at the Metro Center Station in Washington, DC last year, according to federal authorities. The US Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday, June 6 that there is insufficient evidence to pursue charges against the officer who shot and killed Troy N. Bullock in December 2022 inside the station at G Street and 11th Street in Northwest. Investigators say that shortly before 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, an off-duty FBI Special Agent was standing on the platform when Bullock began to challenge another trav…
'FIGHT CLUB': NJ Prison Officer Who Brutalized Inmates Sentenced To 2½ Years In Federal Prison 'FIGHT CLUB': NJ Prison Officer Who Brutalized Inmates Sentenced To 2½ Years In Federal Prison
'Fight Club': NJ Prison Officer Who Brutalized Inmates Sentenced To 2½ Years In Federal Prison UPDATE: A now-former New Jersey corrections officer must spend the next 2½ years behind bars for brutalizing inmates through what one victim described as a “fight club.” John Makos, 42, of Millville, took advantage of areas in the kitchen at Bayside State Prison in Leesburg out of the view of surveillance cameras where inmates during and after their work shifts were beaten by him, colleagues and fellow prisoners, federal authorities said. In one instance Makos “watched and did not attempt to intervene when multiple inmates pinned a victim-inmate to the floor and, while the inmates restraine…
Former DC Police Officer Used Prohibited Chokeholds To Violate Victims' Civil Rights: Feds Former DC Police Officer Used Prohibited Chokeholds To Violate Victims' Civil Rights: Feds
Former DC Police Officer Used Prohibited Chokeholds To Violate Victims' Civil Rights: Feds A former member of the Metropolitan Police Department has been convicted of violating the rights of at least two men with illegal chokeholds, federal authorities announced on Tuesday. Mark Lamont Clark was found guilty on Tuesday, May 23, of two counts of depravation of civil rights under the color of law following a pair of separate incidents involving two men days apart in July 2018. Prosecutors say that while wearing his police uniform, on July 13, 2018, Clark applied a prohibited chokehold outside of an area McDonald’s causing his victim, “D.T.,” bodily harm. That incident came after C…
North Jersey Pols Stand With Muslim Prospect Park Mayor Turned Away From White House North Jersey Pols Stand With Muslim Prospect Park Mayor Turned Away From White House
North Jersey Pols Stand With Muslim Prospect Park Mayor Turned Away From White House A consortium of mayors throughout North Jersey are demanding an apology from the White House to Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah after he was denied entry for a celebration marking the end of Ramadan. Khairullah, who was recently sworn in for his fifth term as mayor, was told by Secret Service Monday, May 1 that he had not been cleared for entry.  Khairullah received the news just hours before he was set to arrive. Khairullah was also recently interrogated for three hours at John F. Kennedy International Airport. "As mayors who value transparency and the U.S. legal sys…
Suffolk County PD To Settle Lawsuit Over Discriminatory Policies, Pay Over $2 Million Suffolk County PD To Settle Lawsuit Over Discriminatory Policies, Pay Over $2 Million
Suffolk County PD To Settle Lawsuit Over Discriminatory Policies, Pay Over $2 Million The end is in sight for a class action lawsuit involving the Suffolk County Police Department, according to court documents. The suit, which alleges that the SCPD has discriminatory policing practices against Latinos, would result in the department paying around $2.25 million in plaintiff’s attorney fees as well as making numerous changes to traffic-stop and body-camera procedures. SCPD announced the Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement on its Facebook page on Tuesday, April 11. Both sides have agreed to the settlement (though SCPD denies any wrongdoing) and it is waiting on fina…
Somerville Racially-Motivated Assault Suspects Sought By Police Somerville Racially-Motivated Assault Suspects Sought By Police
Somerville Racially-Motivated Assault Suspects Sought By Police Two people who assaulted and harassed a woman of Asian descent are wanted for a civil rights and assault and battery investigation, officials say.  The pair attacked and verbally harassed the woman around 5:40 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 20 at the MBTA Davis Square Station in Somerville, MBTA Transit Police say. The suspects were caught on camera, and police are seeking the public's help to identify the unknown duo.  Identification Sought re: Civil Rights/Assault& Battery Investigation. https://t.co/nADhZNIAt6 pic.twitter.com/5tevYsKX3i — MBTA Transit Police (@MBTATransitPD) February 24, 2…
No Charges For MPD Sergeant Involved In Fatal Fort Slocum Park Shooting: Feds No Charges For MPD Sergeant Involved In Fatal Fort Slocum Park Shooting: Feds
No Charges For MPD Sergeant Involved In Fatal Fort Slocum Park Shooting: Feds The US Attorney’s Office will not be pursuing charges against a Metropolitan Police Department sergeant who shot and killed 31-year-old Kevin Hargraves-Shird at Ford Slocum Park in Northwest Washington, DC. Prosecutors say that there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights or DC charges against Sgt. Reinaldo Otero-Camacho for his role in the fatal July 2022 shooting, which caused controversy last summer. At approximately 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2022, Otero, a Fourth District sergeant, responded to a call of a shooting that happened in the 900 block of Longfell…
Catskill Man's Stun Gun, Fire Death Prompts $20M Lawsuit Against Police: Report Catskill Man's Stun Gun, Fire Death Prompts $20M Lawsuit Against Police: Report
Catskill Man's Stun Gun, Fire Death Prompts $20M Lawsuit Against Police: Report A police department in New York is facing a federal lawsuit in connection with the death of a man who was hit with a TASER device and caught fire in the department’s lobby, WRGB reports. Greene County resident Jason Jones, of Catskill, voluntarily went to the Catskill Police Department on Oct. 30, 2021, and began arguing with officers, according to police. Surveillance footage later released by the New York Attorney General’s Office shows him removing his shirt and shoes before pouring hand sanitizer all over his body, including his hair and face. Moments later, an officer is seen deploy…
Kim Kardashian Shares Story Of 'The Embrace' Statue In Boston On Instagram Kim Kardashian Shares Story Of 'The Embrace' Statue In Boston On Instagram
Kim Kardashian Shares Story Of 'The Embrace' Statue In Boston On Instagram A reality show star-turned international celebrity was seen admiring Boston's latest art installation this week. Kim Kardashian posted a photo of "The Embrace" statue on Boston Common to her Instagram story on Friday morning, Jan. 20. The bronze sculpture, which commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, was unveiled last week. The style is based on a photo of the Kings hugging after Martin won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.  "The 20-foot-tall, 25-foot-wide artwork differs from the singular, heroic form of many memorials to Dr. King and others," Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's …
Correction Officer From Cortlandt Manor Charged With Assaulting Inmate, Falsifying Records Correction Officer From Cortlandt Manor Charged With Assaulting Inmate, Falsifying Records
Correction Officer From Cortlandt Manor Charged With Assaulting Inmate, Falsifying Records A correction officer from Northern Westchester is charged with assaulting an inmate of the Dutchess County prison he once worked at and falsifying the records of the incident.  The assault happened on May 28, 2020, when 32-year-old Cortlandt Manor resident Taj Everly assaulted an inmate at Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, according to an announcement by US Attorney Damian Williams from Thursday, Dec. 15.  On the day of the incident, Everly allegedly hit the inmate without provocation as he exited a room in the prison, causing both men to fall. Afterward, Everl…
Quincy Man Yells 'Go Back To China' Before Hitting Asian Man With Car: Police Quincy Man Yells 'Go Back To China' Before Hitting Asian Man With Car: Police
Quincy Man Yells 'Go Back To China' Before Hitting Asian Man With Car: Police A Quincy man is facing charges for allegedly yelling a racial slur at another man who he also hit with his car last week, authorities said. Police responded for a disorder involving a motor vehicle in the area of 40 Washington Street in Quincy just before 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, Quincy Police report. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, described as an Asian male, covered with dirt and limping from an apparent leg injury.  The man told police that he saw a driver, later identified as 77-year-old John Sullivan, speeding down Washington Street, police said.  The two exc…
Fall River Police Officer Charged With Beating Handcuffed Suspect With Baton: Feds Fall River Police Officer Charged With Beating Handcuffed Suspect With Baton: Feds
Fall River Police Officer Charged With Beating Handcuffed Suspect With Baton: Feds Federal authorities arrested a Fall River police officer on Wednesday, Nov. 30, and charged him with hitting an in-custody suspect with a baton, officials said.  Nicholas M. Hoar, 35, is charged with deprivation of rights under color of law and two counts of false reports for the alleged 2020 assault, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He potentially faces 50 years in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines if convicted, officials added.  The prosecutor alleges that Hoar hit a man across the forehead with his baton on Dec. 21, 2020, and then omitted that informat…
Feds Open Investigation Into Worcester Police Potential Bias, Use Of Force Feds Open Investigation Into Worcester Police Potential Bias, Use Of Force
Feds Open Investigation Into Worcester Police Potential Bias, Use Of Force The Department of Justice has opened a civil investigation into the Worcester Police Department to determine if the agency uses excessive force or engages in racial or gender bias.  The US Attorney's Office didn't say what sparked the investigation but said the probe would be comprehensive. Analysts will scrutinize Worcester's training, policies, procedures, evidence handling, interactions with the public, accountability systems, how superiors handle complaints, and disciplinary procedures.  "The purpose of this civil investigation is to determine – through objective and thorough …