Pubdate: Thu, 16 Nov 2000
Source: Akron Beacon-Journal (OH)
Copyright: 2000 by the Beacon Journal Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.ohio.com/bj/
Forum: http://krwebx.infi.net/webxmulti/cgi-bin/WebX?abeacon
Author: George W. Davis

DRUG RAID IN CANTON ANGERS FAMILY

Police Enter House Day After Owner Dies

CANTON: When Canton police raided a northeast section home to search for 
drugs Oct. 30, they said they had no idea the homeowner had died the night 
before.

Members of Janet Coney's extended family doubt the claim and believe they 
are owed a formal apology -- and possibly more -- for the officers' 
actions, which, the family charges, included pointing guns at children and 
adults, and shouting at them without immediately identifying themselves.

Police officials said yesterday that the family has yet to file an Internal 
Affairs complaint. One officer said he was told that a complaint is being 
prepared by the family and Canton attorney Steven Lo Dico. Lo Dico didn't 
return calls for comment.

Coney's niece, Ceil C. Scott, still gets enraged when she describes the 
trauma she says she and others experienced as 24 officers, including 
several in SWAT-type gear, entered the house.

"They put guns to everyone and forced us onto the floor -- even the babies 
from age 9 months to 5 years," Scott claims.

"Where is the line drawn when you raid a so-called drug house?" she asked.

Lt. Tim Richard, commander of the Canton police Vice and Criminal 
Intelligence unit, said police raided Coney's Seventh Street Northeast home 
after a three-week investigation during which undercover officers 
reportedly purchased drugs at the home.

No drug charges have been filed and no drugs were found during the search, 
which Richard said was conducted "with relative kid gloves" after raiders 
were told the family was making funeral plans for the homeowner, who died 
after about three months in the hospital.

Richard said he found no problem with police actions when he entered the 
home moments after the first officers forced entry.

"We had already had information that led to a warrant from Judge (John A.) 
Poulos and there had been raids at that home in the past involving arrests 
for drugs," he countered.

Richard said officers had fresh information the night of the raid, and 
denied that any officers were aware Coney had died.

Police confiscated a shotgun and arrested two people during the raid on 
unrelated, outstanding warrants.

Sharon R. Johnson, an assistant pastor of United Bible Missionary Church in 
Canton who officiated at Coney's Nov. 4 funeral and was among those held at 
gunpoint, complained about how Coney's daughter, Bernita Singletary, was 
searched in full view of those inside.

She said the woman's private areas were exposed during the search by a 
female officer. Witnesses also said food brought to the mourners was 
knocked off the table as raiders made their way through the house.

"I think some type of apology or compensation is in order. I feel like I'm 
still shell-shocked any time I hear a loud noise," Johnson said.

"I know policemen have a job to do and I have several friends on the Canton 
Police Department, but I don't think they should have done this when they 
did. I feel strongly that the police knew Mrs. Coney had died and that 
Bernita didn't live there."

Singletary was named in the search warrant but was not arrested. She said 
yesterday that she lives with a sister in northeast Canton and not at her 
mother's home.

She denied involvement in drug sales at the house, although she admitted 
she had been charged previously with drug violations.

"There were no drugs being sold out of this house," Singletary declared. 
"There's a lot of activity around here -- in the alley and on the sidewalk 
- -- and why do they just want to pinpoint me?"
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