I call him Pac Man because thats what everybody on the street calls him, McNeal said of Vincent Belmonte, 19, who was killed by an East Cleveland police officer on Jan. 5, 2021. The city of East Cleveland is on the east side of Cuyahoga County, the same county Cleveland is located. The Cleveland Black Lives Matter chapter was helpful in drawing attention to the shooting of Belmonte, by Larry McDonald, an East Cleveland police sergeant. Founded in 1991, the Institute for Justice is the national law firm for liberty. He was the second of four children born to socialite Martha Stewart Bulloch and businessman and philanthropist Theodore Roosevelt Sr. The detectives, Blackshaw said, knew just who to target: people with long criminal records who knew their word would never stand up against a police officer's. They came up with dozens of suspect cases. Onunwor was sentenced to nine years in federal prison in September 2004. . IJ is dedicated to protecting fundamental free speech rights and to fighting judge-made rules that make it extremely difficult to hold government officials accountable for violating the Constitution. A feeling of vindication washed over Blackshaw. While East Cleveland is a small city, it can be considered as a large community with multiple sections . Most of the victims mentioned in the federal indictment didn't have private lawyers to push for their release. Even though East Cleveland has serious crime problems and a short-staffed police department, a group of seven or eight officers descended on Williams leafy street to tow his van for supposedly being illegally parkedeven though William, his daughter and Gowdys campaign manager could all have safely driven the van away. Recent Court of Appeals Ruling Disarms Political Speakers, Empowers Campaign Finance Bullies. That revelation prompted the Conviction Integrity Unit to review all of the officers' work since 2011. Also pictured is his defense attorney Allison Hibbard.Cory Shaffer, cleveland.com. Griffin says the East Cleveland Police Department has kept the Cleveland NAACP chapter busy with numerous complaints lodged against the department. He learned of the officers' arrest by watching the news in prison. Featured. Before this incident, he was one that had been involved in numerous incidents, Henton said. The First Amendment is the foundation of our free and democratic society. . Before McDonald could ask for identifying information, Belmonte fled the traffic stop, leading to a chase. The lawsuit is also part of IJs Project on Immunity and Accountability, which is devoted to the simple idea that government officials are not above the law; just as citizens must follow the law, the government must follow the Constitution. By . They are for the most part well paid, have excellent benefits that includes a pension. The video showed Officer Nicholas Foti stomping Redrick Ward . According to an Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation report, McDonald pulled Belmonte over after hearing the 19-year-olds loud muffler. Within the NAACPs letter, other cases described include Arnold Black being beaten by East Cleveland police detective in 2012, that resulted Black being awarded $50 million dollars by a jury in a lawsuit he brought against the city. East Clevelands Government Weaponized its Police to Punish a Political Opponent. We all pay taxes to pay their salaries and benefits. . Video taken from a witness on East 152nd Street in East Cleveland Wednesday afternoon is making its rounds on social media. Indeed, Mr. Harp also announced the arrest today of seven of what he called the ''original targets,'' suspected organized crime figures whose charges concerning money laundering, drugs, gambling and firearms violations were not related to the accusations against the officers. Without being held to account, East Cleveland will serve as a model to local governments that want to punish political enemies. But those rights are meaningless if government officials can retaliate against people who speak out against them. The BCI report says Belmonte ran between a pair of houses to jump a fence, but became caught on the fence, thats when McDonald claimed he saw Belmonte reach for his gun and fatally shot Belmonte. He has been involved in local politics for decades and continues to be an advocate for better government. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The Institute for Justice is a 501(c)(3) organization; donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. 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). The city rose to prominence during Clevelands industrial height in the early 20th century and still has stately neighborhoods and parks developed by John D. Rockefeller, as well as the worlds first industrial park. And in Indianapolis, the F.B.I. Last October, a grand jury determined McDonald acted lawfully and did not bring any charges, but while Belmontes family and community activists believe the shooting should not have been justified, the actions of McDonald come as no surprise to Henton. He has a long history of drug offenses, and his charge, possession of more than 100 grams of cocaine, carried a mandatory minimum sentence of 11 years behind bars. Police unions are some of the strongest in the country. A woman threw a house party with 65 men she matched with on Tinder and Hinge and connected with the man she's been dating for a year. Gerhard was born and raised in East Cleveland and has a member of the police force since 1995. McDonald was also the focus of a WOIO investigation where he was allegedly caught on bodycam video asking for marijuana seized in a traffic stop. Police Athletic/Activities League East Cleveland PAL P.O. The rest either haven't been found or don't want to come forward. Antonio Malone, 34, of Cleveland, was sentenced to 71 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $23,000 in restitution. Unfortunately, in many circumstances, the courts have held that government officials are immune. ''We're a family, and not one of us wants to get busted. The FBI has a hotline set up to collect information regarding any public corruption or civil rights violations happening in the city of East Cleveland. The Cleveland police corruption investigation was a ''spin-off of the original undercover operation that targeted organized crime'' said Van A. Harp, the special agent in charge of the F.B.I. Griffin hopes with more scrutiny under a consent decree, the East Cleveland Police Department can clean up its act. The shooting happened about 8:30 a.m. on East 134th Street near Beachwood Avenue in the city's Union-Miles neighborhood. Y'all can't win here East Cleveland is a 3rd world country. A growing number of federal appeals courts have ruled that official immunity is not absolute: When officials flagrantly violate citizens rights, they can be held accountable in court. Despite its recent troubles, however, William loves the city. On top of those injustices, there is a slim chance that any of them will be fully reimbursed, because the disgraced officers and their former employer don't have the money. At one point, for example, Officer Joye is accompanying an undercover agent to a storage facility where he and other officers help move smuggled gambling machines and provide security for the illegal operation. He is a fixture in local politics through his media company and political activism. The community reacted to the shooting with protests led by the Cleveland Black Lives Matter chapter. In a tearful courtroom apology, Moore said she'd turned rogue in 2011. FEATURED PHOTO: EAST CLEVELAND POLICE CHIEF BRIAN GERHARD WKYC.com, By Emma Henderson, Posted November 14th 2022 When you talk to East Cleveland Police Chief Brian Gerhard, several things become clear, including his passion for the city. The city of Cleveland and the Justice Department entered into a court enforceable agreement to fix problems within the police department and implement police reforms. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The Cleveland Black Lives Matter chapter was helpful in drawing attention to the shooting of Belmonte, by Larry McDonald, an East Cleveland police sergeant. He is grateful to be released, but he lost two years of freedom. He and his wife moved to East Cleveland in 2006, using his step van as a moving truck. He maintains he did not have any drugs on him when he was busted. Blackshaw, out of prison for more than a year, says he's trying to start a commercial cleaning business. CLEVELAND - Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley announced that former East Cleveland police officers Von Harris, 53, and Demarkco Johnson, 29, pleaded guilty for accepting bribes in summer of 2018. We are sending a stern warning that public corruption of any kind will not be tolerated in this county. In response to the allegations of corruption and police misconduct, the NAACP sent a letter to the Department of Justice requesting the federal agency step in to oversee the East Cleveland Police Department by obtaining a consent decree. If it wasnt already obvious, then, the city lawyer handling Williams case made it crystal clear that Williams problems from the police and law department were really because of his political advocacy. and after he was indicted and convicted on federal charges of racketeering and corruption in 2004. East Cleveland is a small suburb of Cleveland, only about seven miles from downtown. on She says anytime the department is made aware of any alleged misconduct from one of its officers, it launches an internal investigation and if criminal wrongdoing is suspected, outside law enforcement agencies are brought in to investigate which can include the local sheriffs office up to the FBI. Griffin says the NAACP was influential in the Justice Department stepping in to oversee the Cleveland Police Department in 2015 after a Department of Justice investigation found Cleveland Police engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force violating the Fourth Amendment. In New Orleans, 10 officers were convicted for their role in protecting a cocaine supply warehouse containing 286 pounds of cocaine in 1994. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Internet Arcade Console Living Room. Harris and Johnson provided an individual with falsified police reports in exchange for two cash payments of $200 outside of a gas station near Shaw and Euclid Avenues in East Cleveland. IJ stands for the idea that every child deserves a chance at a great education and that all parents, regardless of means, should enjoy the freedom to direct their childrens education. All Software; This Just In; Old School Emulation; MS-DOS Games; Colorados private-enforcement law empowers political insiders to silence any ordinary speaker they disagree with. On July 24, Harris and Johnson provided an individual with falsified police reports in exchange for two cash payments of $500 outside of a gas station near Shaw and Euclid Avenues in East Cleveland. FBI; Cuyahoga County Sheriff; East Cleveland Police. IJ provides principled advocacy and issue-area expertise to support legislation that expands individual liberty and protects vital constitutional rights. Eventually, the city got its way. A Cuyahoga County jury awarded Arnold Black $50 million from the city of East Cleveland. Malone is the last of three former East Cleveland police officers sent to prison for their roles in the conspiracy. "Neither of us ever dreamed that these cops could be crooked enough to steal money and lie about it, and even if they did, who would believe Kenneth Blackshaw?" Twenty-five former Cuyahoga County Jail guards were sentenced to a total of 81 years and 7 months, or an average sentence of 3 years and three months. Cases against 22 alleged drug dealers have been dismissed. In Chicago, in two unrelated cases in the last year, 10 officers in two police districts were charged with robbing and extorting money and narcotics from drug dealers. In the process of the investigation, Federal agents got wind of a corrections officer for the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department, Michael W. Joye, who sold drugs to an undercover agent and indicated he would provide security, first for the smuggling of illegal gambling machines and then for drug deals, according to a 99-page affidavit. After the FBI got tipped-off in early 2013, agents had the drug dealer who caught officers lying about buying crack at his house wear a wire. cleveland.com - CINCINNATI, Ohio The prosecution has rested in ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder's corruption trial following five weeks of testimony and a . First, that individual government officialsthe mayor, police chief, law director, assistant law director, and the policeviolated Williams rights. Within the NAACPs letter, other cases described include Arnold Black being beaten by East Cleveland police detective in 2012, that resulted Black being awarded $50 million dollars by a jury in a lawsuit he brought against the city. submit Allegations against officers in the past two years include murder, extortion, assault . Cleveland Police Chief Scott Gardner has been indicted on theft charges, and former Tracy City . On June 13, 2018, Harris and Johnson, in police uniform, provided an individual with falsified police reports in exchange for two cash payments of $200 outside of the East Cleveland Police Department. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, center, walks into Potter Stewart U.S. Activists want the same thing done in East Cleveland. 01 Mar 2023 23:44:01 Breaking news from IJ, including case updates. The following day, while K.B. But rather than respecting his basic rights, the city government, angered at its political competition, used its police and law departments to retaliate against William in the months leading up to the election. In mid-February, East Palestine police chief batted down a rumor that medical identification bracelets being passed out to residents were government tracking . Eric is an old-school investigative reporter whose 40-year body of editorial work has been demonstrably effective. As a result of the damage, the step van was out of commission for the final weeks of the campaign, thereby depriving Gowdys supporters of their principal way of communicating with voters at a crucial moment. On Friday, civil rights advocate Mariah Crenshaw accused East Cleveland officials of corruption within the administration and police department. Our free and democratic society isnt possible if citizens cannot voice their opinions about politics and elected officials. The median household income is $19,592. Anyone can read what you share. East Cleveland Police Chief Scott Gardner appears in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court on Sept. 21, 2022, to answer to theft in office and other charges that accuse him of failing to properly pay . NASA Images; Solar System Collection; Ames Research Center; Software. East Cleveland Expands and Admits Retaliation Against William for his Political Speech From there, investigators uncovered more frame-ups and thefts. Griffin says the NAACP was influential in the Justice Department stepping in to oversee the Cleveland Police Department in 2015 after a Department of Justice investigation found Cleveland Police engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force violating the Fourth Amendment. Dems left Us here. The attorney called the citys assistant law director, Heather McCollough, who was handling the case. The sound truck processions were the Gowdy supporters principal form of campaigning. But the drug dealer had surveillance cameras that proved the officers were lying. The longest sentence was 9 years, 4 months. Government officials using the police to punish political opponents is a core violation of the First Amendment. Atlanta Black Star asked King to comment on Sgt. Mike DeWine suffered injury while in East Palestine, Mayfield Heights man convicted of murdering neighbor and her 8-year-old daughter, Climate activist Erin Brockovich returns to East Palestine, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor announces new Cryptocurrency operation, Sentencing for man convicted of 2019 murder of Ashtabula County business owner, Rail worker union representative alleges Norfolk Southern put workers in danger, Closed Captioning/Audio Description Problems. As a digital subscriber to Prison Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content. '', See the article in its original context from. Finally, the city and its officials violated the Fourth Amendment because it was unreasonable to tow Williams step van when it was not causing a problem to anybody and when multiple people were available to safely drive it away. Griffin says the DOJ has not responded to the Cleveland NAACP regarding its letter sent to the department in February. The Cleveland case is the latest in a series of police corruption investigations that have struck cities across the country in recent years. These cases present the potential for significant future liability that could further impact the Citys financial solvency.. . The complaint was also suspect because sound trucks are a common way to campaign in East Cleveland. Nothing is more repugnant to the First Amendment. The FBI first stationed agents in Cleveland during its earliest days as an organization. "I have been overcharged for services I never received. 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