Cincinnati police have apprehended three of the five individuals indicted in connection with the recent mob attacks that were caught on video. Notably, one suspect was reportedly on bond for previous weapon charges during the incident.
The arrested individuals include 39-year-old Jermaine Matthews, 24-year-old Dekira Vernon, and 34-year-old Montiernes Meriweather, as reported by WXIX-TV. Identity details for the remaining two suspects have not been disclosed.
Meriweather and Vernon were taken into custody at Hamilton County Judicial Center on Tuesday afternoon, facing charges of felony assault and aggravated rioting. Meanwhile, Matthews was booked into county jail shortly after 1 AM on Wednesday for charges related to rioting and aggravated assault, the station reported.
Video footage captured Meriweather striking Vernon while another assailant repeatedly stomped on the victim’s head, rendering him unconscious. Specific details about the charges in Matthews’ case haven’t yet emerged in court records.
According to a report from the Cincinnati Enquirer, Vernon’s bail has been set at $200,000, and she has no prior criminal convictions in the county. In a separate context, Meriweather is under more scrutiny.
He was recently charged on July 10 for possession of a stolen firearm, along with additional charges including carrying a concealed weapon and improper handling of firearms. The firearm incident relates to a felony conviction for robbery from 2009.
Despite these recent charges, he was released on a $4,000 bond after paying 10%. “He should never have gone outside,” commented Ken Cober, president of the Cincinnati Police Union.
Meriweather’s bail for the mob attack allegations has been set at $500,000, while Matthews has a bail of $100,000 in relation to his charges, with a court hearing scheduled for Thursday.
Matthews is reportedly no stranger to legal troubles. He had previously pleaded guilty in 2009 to multiple counts related to cocaine possession and human trafficking, resulting in a three-year prison sentence.
The FBI has initiated an investigation into the mob attack, with reports indicating that it may be treated as a potential hate crime. Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Tegge expressed expectations that further arrests would follow, stating, “Anyone who lays a hand on someone during this incident will face consequences.”
The chilling mob attack incident, which occurred early Saturday morning, involved a man in a white shirt being pursued and assaulted by several individuals over the span of nearly a minute. Witnesses noted the brutality of the attack, emphasizing that the sheer level of violence was “completely unfair.”
A woman, attempting to assist the assaulted man, was also physically attacked, highlighting the chaotic nature of the event.
Videos circulating on social media captured different angles of the attack, showing the same victim being assaulted multiple times. One clip shows an attacker jumping onto a victim while he lies helplessly on the ground.
In a related discussion on the violent episode, media personality Jason Whitlock criticized the narrative that suggested the victim initiated the violence, asserting that the response to him was disproportionately severe. “It’s completely unfair,” he remarked.
The Chief of Police also expressed frustration over the community’s response, pointing out that despite numerous recordings of the incident, only one person contacted emergency services. “It’s unacceptable,” she said, stressing the community’s responsibility to act in such situations.
While the situation continues to unfold, the public’s reaction and engagement with the event raises questions about societal values and responses to public violence.
