Las Vegas Metro Police Department’s Sergeant Kevin Menon faces multiple allegations of using illegal arrest tactics while serving in the Convention Center Area Command. These accusations, based on grand jury testimonies and bodycam footage, suggest that Sgt. Menon and his team may have unlawfully detained individuals without probable cause. Menon, the leader of a specialized team of both uniformed and plainclothes officers known as the Flex Squad, is at the center of a controversy involving questionable policing methods on the Las Vegas Strip.
Grand Jury Indictment and Charges
Sgt. Kevin Menon was indicted earlier this month by a Clark County grand jury on several charges, including oppression and battery. The indictment follows a series of incidents where Menon allegedly instructed officers to make arrests without proper justification. The charges stem from multiple instances where bodycam and surveillance footage, along with witness testimonies, suggest Menon’s actions were not in line with legal standards. Officers involved in these incidents testified that they followed Menon’s orders even when they did not have clear probable cause for the arrests.
Incident at Cromwell Sportsbook: Questionable Detention of Micah
One significant incident, occurring on April 26, was captured in bodycam footage and later shown to the grand jury. This event unfolded at the Cromwell Sportsbook, where officers, under Menon’s command, arrested a man named Micah. Metro Officer Raleigh, one of the officers involved, testified that he placed Micah in handcuffs based on Menon’s instructions, without a clear legal reason for the detention. The footage shows Micah being arrested in what appears to be a questionable manner, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the entire operation.
Bumping Incident on Pedestrian Bridge: Marquese’s Arrest
Another notable event involved the arrest of a man named Marquese, which occurred on a pedestrian bridge between Caesars Palace and The Linq Hotel. Surveillance video from the Bellagio appears to show Menon intentionally bumping into Marquese before ordering officers to detain him. Marquese is heard in the footage telling the officers that he is being “set up for money” and questioning the reason for his arrest. Bodycam footage from the scene captures Marquese’s protests as he tells officers that their actions are unjust. Despite his protests, Metro officers, including Justin Kennelly and Steven, place him in handcuffs. Officer Kimberly, who was also on the scene, later testified that he did not witness the bumping incident. However, the surveillance footage contradicts this claim, showing what appears to be a deliberate action by Menon to justify detaining Marquese.
Incident at the Cosmopolitan: Arrest of Ronald
Another controversial arrest took place on May 5 inside the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Menon ordered officers to detain four individuals and arrest one of them, a man named Ronald, accusing him of making an inappropriate comment near the restroom. Bodycam footage, however, shows Ronald’s confusion as he is handcuffed. The footage reveals that Ronald was unsure of why he was being arrested, and Officer Abigail Armijo, who carried out the arrest, later admitted to the grand jury that she had not heard Ronald make any such comment. Instead, she arrested him based solely on Menon’s claim, which raised questions about the legality of the arrest.
Overstepping Boundaries: Menon Controlling Other Officers’ Arrests
In addition to these incidents, further footage shows Menon attempting to intervene in arrests made by officers from other squads. In one such video, Menon is seen approaching officers from a different team and trying to take control of their arrest procedures. This behavior has led to concerns that Menon not only overstepped his authority but also tried to impose his tactics on other officers, potentially undermining their judgments and actions.
Metro’s Response and Ongoing Investigation
Since these allegations have surfaced, Sgt. Menon has been placed on unpaid leave. Metro Police have declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, despite multiple requests for interviews. Sheriff Kevin McMahill, who was also asked to respond to the allegations, has yet to provide a formal statement. A spokesperson for the Metro Police Department acknowledged the ongoing investigation but declined to confirm or deny specific claims made against Sgt. Menon.
The case has sparked widespread debate over police conduct and the use of force in Las Vegas. As the investigation continues, more officers are expected to testify, shedding further light on the extent of Menon’s alleged misconduct. The charges against Menon highlight broader concerns about accountability and oversight within the police force.
As of now, the department remains under scrutiny, with the public eagerly awaiting the results of the investigation. The outcomes of these legal proceedings will likely influence how law enforcement agencies across the country address issues of misconduct and illegal arrest tactics.
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