Since we ran our article reporting Mount Vernon Public Library Trustee Jonathan Michael Davis’ arrest, Mr. Davis responded, categorically denying the charges and allegations. He took to social media to tell people the story was BS and stated that he was not arrested because he wasn’t handcuffed. Mr. Davis and his supporters have written that the aforementioned articles were baseless, without facts, and slander of a trustee.
Since the original article and the responses from Davis et al., here are the facts we have since discovered, including the original violation information, the exact charge, and details on the order of protection that followed. Despite Mr. Davis’ social media defense about not being arrested, an individual cannot be arraigned without being arrested and charged. The very definition of being arrested is; the taking of a person into legal custody, as by the police. On Friday, October 20th, the Mount Vernon Police Department came to Mr. Davis’ home and took him into custody.
So to be clear, MVPL Trustee Jonathan Davis was arrested and charged by the MVPD and, arraigned in Mount Vernon City Court (see document below).
Mr. Davis is charged with one count of violation of Penal Law Section 240.26 – Harassment in the second degree which is a violation.
[Editor Note: The above document also consisted of three witness depositions that we did not include.]
As far as the order of protection, here is what Black Westchester has found out. The order of protection (see photo below) shall remain in force until and including, Sunday, October 20, 2024. The order was served to and signed by Mr. Davis and states that the “defendant,” (another word used by someone who has been arrested) must observe the following conditions of behavior;
- Stay away from MVPL Trustee and Board President Chanese Coleman, Trustee Delores Mack, and MVPL Director Timal Al-Basil Davis
- Stay Away from the home of Chanese Coleman, Delores Mack, and Timal Al-Basil Davis
- Stay Away from the business of Chanese Coleman, Delores Mack, and Timal Al-Basil Davis
- The place of employment of Chanese Coleman, Delores Mack, and Timal Al-Basil Davis
Mr. Davis must refrain from communications or any contact by mail, telephone, email, voice mail, or other electronic or any other means with Chanese Coleman, Delores Mack, and Timal Al-Basil Davis. This last part means Mr. Davis cannot show up at any board meetings, or even participate via Zoom (which would fall under electronic communication).
The order of protection also states Mr. Davis must refrain from harassing, intimidating, or otherwise interfering with the victim(s) or designated witnesses to allege offense, as well as the family of households of Chanese Coleman, Delores Mack, and Timal Al-Basil Davis
Lastly, the order states Mr. Davis had to surrender any and all handguns, pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, and any other firearms owned or possessed to the Mount Vernon Police Department on Friday, October 20th, by 4:30 PM.
Being arrested and arraigned is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Stay tuned to Black Westchester for more on this developing story!
