CRIME Kimble facing a new charge

Lyndal Kimble has a history of drug charges.
WARREN -- A city man whose videotaped drug arrest by city police in July 2003 attracted national attention was charged Wednesday after a drug raid at a Belvedere Avenue Southeast home.
Lyndal Kimble, 30, of Kenilworth Avenue Southeast, was arrested on a drug abuse charge at 10:38 p.m. at 1398 Belvedere. The Warren Narcotics Unit and Trumbull County Sheriff's Narcotics Unit used a search warrant there after a monthlong investigation.
Detective Melanie Gambill reported that police recovered crack cocaine, a stolen handgun, scales and $700 cash.
Kimble and Hakim J. Caldwell, 37, of Willis Avenue, Youngstown, were found possessing crack cocaine when police entered, police report. Caldwell also is charged with drug abuse.
Kimble and Caldwell were released at the scene pending results of lab reports.
Also released on summonses for having drug paraphernalia at the house were Eric D. Dotson, 46, of 1398 Belvedere, who was renting the residence; Alan M. Francis, 42, of Louis Avenue, Girard; Ritchie S. Miller, 34, of Wick Street Southeast; and David Rebraca, 49, of Dogwood Drive, Niles.
They are to appear in Warren Municipal Court on Monday.
Background
In July 2003, Kimble said he was needlessly beaten by police during an arrest. But police said he was found to have a rock of suspected crack cocaine, a pocket full of cash, suspected marijuana and a prior drug conviction. Police used force on Kimble during the arrest to prevent him from swallowing suspected crack, Police Chief John Mandopoulos said at the time.
Kimble's supporters thronged the municipal court and said they believed Kimble was beaten and sprayed with a chemical repellent by police. Kimble's neighbor videotaped the scene. The tape was shown repeatedly on local and Cleveland news channels, showing officers Greg Hoso, Michael Stabile and Frank Tempesta struggling with Kimble.
He was charged with felonious assault, resisting arrest, tampering with evidence and felonious possession of drugs; that case is pending in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
In February, the FBI said it was no longer investigating allegations of police brutality stemming from the arrest because Kimble was refusing to talk.
In March, police searched Kimble's Kenilworth Avenue home and announced they found suspected crack cocaine, a small amount of marijuana, paraphernalia, assorted pills and about $2,000 in cash.
In September, a Trumbull County grand jury indicted Kimble on 11 drug charges. He pleaded innocent to eight counts of trafficking in cocaine and three charges of possession of drugs, and was free on a $25,000 bond.
Department relations
Warren's police department this year was embroiled in controversy over race relations in situations that included the struggle during Kimble's arrest, police conduct at the former 77 Soul nightclub, and $88,514 worth of lawsuit settlements concerning reported illegal strip-searches by city police. The U.S. Justice Department is reviewing city police policies, it was announced this month.