CLEVELAND COUNTY, NC — Civil Rights Activist Essie Berry asking for a formal investigation

on allegations presented from Mr. Melvin Toms , Who formally submitted a complaint regarding

a wrongful arrest and the unlawful removal of his minor child that occurred in August 2013, until

2023 raising serious concerns about due process, civil rights, and systemic failures within the

local justice and child welfare systems.

In August 2013, while temporarily residing with acquaintances, Mr. Toms was present at a

residence when law enforcement officers entered the home in connection with an unrelated

investigation. Mr. Toms was not involved in any criminal activity. Despite this, he was arrested

and falsely accused of drug-related offenses.

More troubling, Mr. Toms was also accused of exposing his four-y ...