Cops: Madison Teen Punched Drew Officer in Face

A public safety officer was allegedly punched in the face and three non-students who were headed to a party on campus were apparently pepper-sprayed late Friday night.

According to a statement released by the on Monday, a Madison teen faces aggravated assault charges and all three men were charged with criminal trespassing on the Drew campus Friday night just before midnight.

Quawwe Harris, 19, of Madison, Richard Irving, 18, of Easton, Pa., and Michael Irving, 20, Temple Hills, Md., were stopped on campus by Drew public safety officers, police said.

After the officers determined that the three men were not Drew students, the security officers called the Madison Police Department, police said.

While being taken into custody by Drew public safety officers,  Harris allegedly fled from officers during questioning before being apprehended by Drew Public Safety Officer Lt. Fabio G. LaManna, police said. Harris allegedly punched LaManna in the face while being taken into custody, police said. Madison police officers Anthony Maccario and Sgt. Joe Cirella then assisted with the arrest.

However, Harris told Patch on Monday that the three men were close to the library on their way to a party on campus when five public safety officers who had been following them stopped and asked them where they were going. The three men responded they were headed to an on-campus party.

According to Harris, who, like his two friends, is black, said the five white public safety officers were allegedly hostile, allegedly made racist remarks and attempted to handcuff the Irving brothers. While being handcuffed, Harris said he offered to sign-in as protocol, but was rebuffed and then tried to videotape what was going on.

Harris said the officers then reacted to him attempting to videotape the incident.

“I was the last one to be cuffed...I saw how they were treating Mike and Rich, so I didn’t want to be cuffed and slammed like they were being," Harris said. "I tried to videotape them so they could see how they were doing them. They chased me, then they tackled me. Then they maced me, then I got away, then I got maced again.”

The mace was allegedly sprayed into his eyes, nose and mouth, Harris said.

According to Dave Muha, a spokesman for Drew University, the public safety officers have the right to question people walking on campus after the gates close at 8 p.m. “The grounds are private,“ Muha said.

Muha referred further questions to the Madison Police Department, which has not been able to be reached for further comment.

Harris, a County College of Morris student, said he has attended parties on the Drew campus before without having to sign in. According to Harris, the questioning by the public safety officers went quickly and the three men didn't have an opportunity to contact the Drew students who were hosting the party to vouch for them.

Harris' mother, Kim, said she received a text message from her son, and by the time she arrived, her son was pleading for the officers to open the car window, saying that he was having trouble breathing from the pepper spray.

All three men were taken to Madison Police headquarters for processing. Harris paid $2,500 bail. They will attend a mandatory court hearing.

LaManna was taken to hospital and released, police said. Madison Police Sgt. Joe Cirella assisted with the arrest and investigation.