Las Vegas Cop Indicted for Faking Arrests of Black Men

An indicted police officer from Las Vegas is facing serious charges after allegedly orchestrating fake arrests primarily involving Black men, according to fresh reports. Kevin Menon, a sergeant with a decade of service in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, was indicted in August on a total of 13 charges, including battery on a protected person and multiple counts of oppression under color of office. This indictment came months after Menon was placed on administrative leave from the department.

Recent disclosures from the grand jury proceedings reveal troubling details about Menon’s alleged methods. He reportedly coordinated the unlawful detainment of individuals on the iconic Las Vegas Strip, using uniformed officers while he himself was in plain clothes. Testimonies from officers involved in these dubious arrests have shown they faced intimidation and coercion from Menon to fabricate arrest reports. One officer recalled Menon saying, “I’m the sergeant, you idiot,” while physically pushing him to comply. Additional testimonies suggested that Menon’s assertion of having the backing of higher-ups instilled fear among the officers, impeding their ability to resist his directives.

Race played a significant role in these arrests, with reports indicating that most individuals caught up in the bogus detentions were Black men. Menon’s actions came to light following a whistle-blower report sent to the police union by an officer concerned about the sergeant’s conduct. Menon faces court on October 23.

The issue of false arrests, particularly targeting Black individuals, is unfortunately prevalent. For instance, a notable case involved a Black transgender woman in Atlanta who received $1.5 million after enduring six months in jail on fabricated cocaine charges. In another situation in Brockton, Massachusetts, an officer was found to have wrongfully accused a Black man of threatening him with a knife over a parking dispute, prompting a false arrest narrative that fell apart under scrutiny.

This unsettling trend raises serious questions about accountability within law enforcement and the systemic issues contributing to racial disparities in policing.