Black Woman Wrongfully Charged!

As I prepared for work on the morning of December 5th, 2018 the Cuyahoga County Sheriffs appeared at my two-family house, to conduct a search warrant for my downstairs neighbor. Though I live upstairs, I still exited the side door with my hands up as directed by the officers. Once outside I was TERRIFIED and confused to see multiple officers with guns pointed at me. It was my first time witnessing any type of raid, let alone being in the midst of one. I told the officers my name and that I lived upstairs alone. I was detained (not under arrest) with zip ties and escorted to a police car. One officer (officer #1) placed my phone in my back pocket, however as I entered the squad car another officer (officer #2) aggressively asked the previous officer to remove it.

As this is happening, I am in FEAR OF MY LIFE because the officers still haven’t given me any information. After I was placed in the squad car, Officer #2 entered the back with me and attempted to aggressively yank the phone from my back pocket. Because of the positioning of my body and the placement of the phone he was unable to do so. Officer #2 left the car and returned a few minutes later and said I assaulted him by headbutting him with my forehead in the back of his head.

I reviewed the body cam footage and it was a complete and utter lie. It was anatomically impossible for me to headbutt the officer and in fact I made no initial contact with him at all. Within a matter of minutes, I am now going to jail for an assault on an officer. Being arrested for assaulting an officer had an instant negative domino effect on my life. Before my arrest, I had recently landed my dream job working with students and adults to assist them with their educational and career goals.  However, my job found out about the arrest and I was fired. I tried to Uber and Lyft part-time to make ends meet however they locked my account due to the pending charges as well. My landlord has known me to be an excellent tenant for years, however due to no steady income I fell behind on rent and forced to leave the premises. I also fell behind on my bills and began experiencing night terrors due to the stress from court and the horrific arrest I experienced.

The city provided me with a public defender however he is set on me accepting a plea deal. I WILL NOT ACCEPT A PLEA DEAL FOR SOMETHING I DID NOT DO! The video evidence is clear, and the statement written by Officer #2 is inconsistent with the video.

I am a 29-year-old college-educated woman. I have worked very hard to build my career and make an impact on my community. This go fund me is to assist with raising money for a lawyer that can help me fight and win this case. I am asking for your support! Whether its sharing this link, referring your attorney, prayers or assisting financially. Anything you do helps! God Bless!