About this episode
CLEVELAND COUNTY, NC — Civil Rights Activist Essie Berry asking for a formal investigationon allegations presented from Mr. Melvin Toms , Who formally submitted a complaint regardinga wrongful arrest and the unlawful removal of his minor child that occurred in August 2013, until2023 raising serious concerns about due process, civil rights, and systemic failures within thelocal justice and child welfare systems.In August 2013, while temporarily residing with acquaintances, Mr. Toms was present at aresidence when law enforcement officers entered the home in connection with an unrelatedinvestigation. Mr. Toms was not involved in any criminal activity. Despite this, he was arrestedand falsely accused of drug-related offenses.More troubling, Mr. Toms was also accused of exposing his four-year-old son to narcotics. Onthe same day as his arrest, Cleveland County Child Protective Services (CPS) removed his sonfrom his custody, alleging the child had tested positive for drugs.Those allegations were false.Subsequent official reports and laboratory results later confirmed that Mr. Toms’ son did nothave narcotics in his system. At no time did credible evidence exist to support the claims madeagainst Mr. Toms or to justify the emergency removal of his child.Despite the absence of evidence, these unsubstantiated allegations were relied upon to justifyMr. Toms’ arrest, prosecution, and eventual conviction. The actions taken resulted in severe andlasting harm, including the loss of parental custody and damage to Mr. Toms’ liberty, reputation,and family integrity.“This case represents a profound miscarriage of justice,” Mr. Toms stated. “My constitutionalrights to due process and to raise my child were violated based on allegations that were laterproven untrue.”Mr. Toms further asserts that this case reflects a broader systemic failure. Law enforcement,prosecutorial authorities, defense counsel, and judicial officials failed to uphold their legal andethical obligations, allowing improper factors to influence critical decisions rather than relying onverified facts and evidence.As a United States citizen and military veteran, Mr. Toms emphasizes that he was entitled to fairand impartial treatment under the law.
