Nationwide — Civil rights activist Essie Berry is calling for a formal investigation into allegations presented by Mr. Melvin Toms, who formally submitted a complaint regarding a wrongful arrest and the unlawful removal of his minor child. These events occurred beginning in August 2013 and continued through 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. He 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-year-old son to narcotics. On the same day as his arrest, Cleveland County Child Protective Services (CPS) removed his son from his custody, alleging that the child had tested positive for drugs.
Those allegations were false.
Subsequent official reports and laboratory results later confirmed that Mr. Toms’ son did not have narcotics in his system. At no time did credible evidence exist to support the claims made against Mr. Toms or to justify the emergency removal of his child.
Despite the absence of evidence, these unsubstantiated allegations were relied upon to justify Mr. Toms’ arrest, prosecution, and eventual conviction. These actions resulted in severe and lasting harm, including the loss of parental custody and significant damage to Mr. Toms’ liberty, reputation, and family integrity.
“This case represents a profound miscarriage of justice,” Mr. Toms stated. “My constitutional rights to due process and to raise my child were violated based on allegations that were later proven 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 and ethical obligations, allowing improper factors to influence critical decisions rather than relying on verified facts and evidence.
As a United States citizen and military veteran, Mr. Toms emphasizes that he was entitled to fair and impartial treatment under the law.
“No individual or agency is above accountability,” he said. “Justice requires acknowledgment of the truth, correction of wrongful actions, and restoration of violated rights.”
Mr. Toms is requesting that the circumstances surrounding his arrest and the removal of his child be formally reviewed, acknowledged, and addressed in the interest of fairness, integrity, and the rule of law.
As an advocate, I must speak plainly: if we cannot depend on our legal system to uphold the law with integrity—if those sworn to protect and serve fail to do so—then how do we begin to repair a system that is clearly broken?
When accountability is absent, injustice is allowed to thrive. This includes situations in which law enforcement officers make false allegations without consequence. If those entrusted with authority are not held responsible for their actions, the cycle of harm continues unchecked, and public trust erodes even further.
For press inquiries, contact Activist Essie Berry at essieberrryinfo@gmail.com/ (747) 248-6433 or Melvin Toms at melvintoms2309@gmail.com/ (980) 666-5246
Also, be sure to watch the YouTube video here – YouTube.com/watch?v=zNZ2Gseh1F4