{"id":2509494,"date":"2025-11-12T06:22:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T11:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/community-peacekeepers-championed-by-democrats-now-charged-with-murder\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T06:26:04","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T11:26:04","slug":"community-peacekeepers-championed-by-democrats-now-charged-with-murder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/community-peacekeepers-championed-by-democrats-now-charged-with-murder\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Community peacekeepers\u2019 championed by Democrats now charged with murder"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcommunity-peacekeepers-championed-by-democrats-now-charged-with-murder%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2509494&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article reports that several individuals involved in &#8220;community peacekeeper&#8221; programs-initiatives promoted by Democratic officials as alternatives to traditional policing to reduce violent crime-have been charged with serious crimes, including murder. These programs, active in cities like Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, often recruit people with criminal backgrounds, aiming to use their experience to provide culturally sensitive violence intervention.<\/p>\n<p>In Chicago, Kellen McMiller, a Peacekeepers member, was arrested for a fatal smash-and-grab robbery that resulted in an innocent bystander&#8217;s death. Despite his criminal history and outstanding warrants, McMiller had recently appeared publicly with Governor JB Pritzker, who praised the peacekeepers&#8217; work. Following the arrest, pritzker&#8217;s office removed a photo of McMiller from official channels.<\/p>\n<p>In Washington, D.C., Cotey Wynn, a former convict and supervisor of a violence intervention program called Cure the Streets, faces first-degree murder charges related to a 2023 shooting. Wynn was previously hailed as a community leader by the attorney general&#8217;s office but is now under scrutiny amid allegations of involvement in violent crime.<\/p>\n<p>In Philadelphia,Sergio Hyland,a self-described abolitionist and advocate for criminal justice reform,was arrested for allegedly murdering his girlfriend. Hyland had a long history of incarceration but had positioned himself as a violence reduction consultant and supporter of progressive prosecutors like DA Larry Krasner.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-gerrymandering-scam-raises-ballot-integrity-concerns\/\" title=\"California Gerrymandering Scam Raises Ballot Integrity Concerns\">article highlights growing concerns<\/a> and criticisms from opponents of such criminal justice reform programs, who argue that involving individuals with <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >prior violent offenses undermines public safety<\/a> and questions the effectiveness of these initiatives championed by Democrats.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Some &lsquo;community peacekeepers&rsquo; championed by Democrats now charged with murder<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2219350\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Several so-called &ldquo;community peacekeepers&rdquo; meant to curb violent crime in major Democrat-led cities are facing murder charges.<\/p>\n<p>Democratic officials championed the peacekeepers as a progressive alternative to policing, whose criminal backgrounds purportedly helped provide a compassionate, &ldquo;culturally sensitive&rdquo; approach.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3882760\/louise-lucas-questionabcampaign-funds-family-business-daughters-campaign-steaks\/\">Virginia redistricting push leader used campaign funds on family business, daughter&#8217;s campaign, steaks<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/investigations\/3883301\/antifa-behind-violent-counterprotest-against-tpusa-event-uc-berkeley\/\">Antifa behind violent counterprotest against TPUSA event at UC Berkeley<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance-and-economy\/3882802\/trump-administration-determines-cfpb-funding-mechanism-is-unlawful\/\">Trump administration determines CFPB&#8217;s funding mechanism is unlawful<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Each of the arrested violence prevention activists had previous encounters with law enforcement, including past murder cases, fueling doubts about the effectiveness of such criminal justice reform programs that critics see as soft on crime.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chicago\">Chicago<\/h2>\n<p>Kellen McMiller, a member of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Chicago\">Chicago<\/a> Peacekeepers, was arrested in mid-September for a deadly burglary incident just days after appearing alongside <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jb-pritzker-2\/\">Gov. JB Pritzker<\/a> (D-IL) at an event applauding the state-funded <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/omb.illinois.gov\/public\/gata\/csfa\/Program.aspx?csfa=3013\">Peacekeepers program<\/a>&rsquo;s violence prevention efforts.<\/p>\n<p>McMiller, a career criminal who was already wanted across four U.S. states, allegedly robbed a Louis Vuitton store at approximately 4:50 a.m. on Sept. 11 as part of an organized crime crew that crashed a car while fleeing the scene, killing an innocent civilian on his way to work.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mugshot of Kellen McMiller, dated Dec. 17, 2023 | Source: Chicago Police Department<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>According to authorities, at least a dozen suspects arrived at the Louis Vuitton location in six stolen vehicles. Surveillance video showed a pickup truck ramming into the storefront and smashing through the windows. The burglars then loaded a large amount of merchandise, luxury goods valued at around $700,000, into the vehicles.<\/p>\n<p>Per police, one of the getaway cars, which McMiller was allegedly in, accelerated through multiple red lights until it collided with an SUV driven by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/please-help-the-family-of-mark-carlo-arceta\">the father of a newborn<\/a> heading to his final work shift before going on paternity leave that morning. The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/wgntv.com\/news\/chicago-news\/innocent-bystander-smash-grab-death-louis-vuitton-chicago\/\">victim&rsquo;s fianc&eacute;e<\/a> gave birth to their son shortly after he was killed in the crash.<\/p>\n<p>The Cook County State&rsquo;s Attorney&rsquo;s Office has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cookcountystatesattorney.org\/news\/first-degree-murder-charges-filed-fatal-mag-mile-smash-and-grab-burglary\">filed<\/a> first-degree murder charges against McMiller and six alleged accomplices for the fatal, &ldquo;highly orchestrated&rdquo; smash-and-grab.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This case is a heartbreaking example of the threat that these organized retail theft operations pose to the entire community,&rdquo; State&rsquo;s Attorney Eileen O&rsquo;Neill Burke said in a statement.&#8239;&rdquo;Not only is the economic vitality of our city compromised by these crimes, but these offenders pose a physical danger to every one of us who live and work here.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Six days prior to the victim&rsquo;s death, Pritzker met with McMiller along with other Peacekeepers, whom he said are &ldquo;working to create safer communities.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>McMiller, who was wearing a Peacekeepers uniform, posed with Pritzker for a one-on-one picture.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kellen McMiller, a member of the Chicago Peacekeepers, posing for a picture with Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) | Source: Pritzker&rsquo;s press office (Archived)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The photograph, showing Pritzker and McMiller standing side by side, was scrubbed from <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com\/icymi-governor-pritzker-meets-with-community-members-amid-heightened-concern-of-trumps-federal-deployment-plans\">a press release<\/a> promoting the meeting on the governor&rsquo;s website some time after state officials learned that authorities were charging McMiller in connection with the murder, <em>CWB Chicago<\/em> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/cwbchicago.com\/2025\/09\/days-before-fatal-mag-mile-crash-and-grab-accused-man-posed-with-governor-at-peacekeeper-event.html\">reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Following the report, a spokesperson for Pritzker said his office was &ldquo;troubled&rdquo; to hear of the allegations against McMiller and had removed the picture in question once they were made aware.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Governor meets hundreds of people in communities every week and is often asked to take photos,&rdquo; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fox32chicago.com\/news\/pritzker-photo-peacekeeper-deadly-chicago-burglary-crash-report\">the statement<\/a> said. &ldquo;We were extremely troubled to learn that this individual was arrested for his alleged involvement in this serious crime, and we expect them to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">In Englewood today to meet with Peacekeepers who are working to create safer communities.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s folks like these that we need more of doing the hard work of community violence prevention, not troops on the ground to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/peacekeeper-who-posed-with-illinois-gov-jb-pritzker-committed-a-murder-days-later-prosecutors\/\" title=\"&#039;Peacekeeper&#039; Who Posed with Illinois Gov. ... Committed a ... Days Later: Prosecutors\">undermine efforts fighting crime<\/a>. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/WgmSVZWiq7\">pic.twitter.com\/WgmSVZWiq7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GovPritzker\/status\/1964115898278531343?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 5, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>McMiller, then a fugitive from justice, had four warrants outstanding for his arrest at the time, three of which were from out of state, according to Chicago Police Department <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/publicsearch1.chicagopolice.org\/Arrests?FirstName=Kellen&amp;LastName=McMiller&amp;CbNumber=&amp;ChargeId=&amp;CPDArea=&amp;District=&amp;Beat=\">arrest records<\/a> reviewed by the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. His criminal history in Chicago, which dates back a decade, includes domestic battery, obstructing a peace officer, and street gang activity.<\/p>\n<p>Three weeks before the robbery, McMiller was reportedly recruited as &ldquo;an apprentice Peacekeeper&rdquo; by Public Equity, a local nonprofit organization <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/metropolitanpeaceinitiatives.org\/public-equity-think-outside-da-block-join-communities-partnering-4-peace\/\">partnered<\/a> with the Peacekeepers program.<\/p>\n<p>Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, one of the organizations <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/metropolitanpeaceinitiatives.org\/governor-pritzker-says-state-funded-peacekeepers-program-is-working-corner-by-corner-block-by-block\/#:~:text=The%20Peacekeepers%20Program%2C%20also%20known%20as%20F.L.I.P.,volatile%20situations%20*%20Promote%20peace%20across%20Chicago\">overseeing<\/a> Public Equity, is reevaluating its vetting process after McMiller&rsquo;s arrest. &ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s just an opportunity for us to get better at what we do and continue to strengthen our protocols and standards,&rdquo; MPI executive director Vaughn Bryant <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wbez.org\/public-safety\/2025\/10\/10\/anti-violence-groups-face-scrutiny-deadly-robbery-involving-peacekeeper\">told<\/a> <em>WBEZ Chicago<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Chicago CRED, which <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagocred.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/UTF-8Peacekeepers-Infographic_FINAL.pdf\">runs<\/a> the Peacekeepers program, also released a statement saying that they &ldquo;intentionally recruit individuals who are closely connected to people at very high risk of shooting or being shot.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Because many of them are justice-involved individuals who have experienced severe violence-related trauma, they sometimes make poor choices that can lead to tragic consequences,&rdquo; Chicago CRED said. &ldquo;With that in mind, we are constantly enhancing our screening practices and additional supports.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The governor&rsquo;s office referred to the group of Peacekeepers as &ldquo;trusted messengers&rdquo; in the community.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Pritzker praised the Peacekeepers in an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/GovPritzker\/status\/1964115898278531343\">X post<\/a> containing footage from their Sept. 5 meeting and contrasted what they do with President Donald Trump&rsquo;s plan to send National Guard troops to clean up crime in Chicago.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3789461\/trump-crime-chicago-washington-dc-labor-day-weekend-shootings\/\">TRUMP VOWS TO SOLVE CRIME IN CHICAGO &lsquo;JUST LIKE&rsquo; IN WASHINGTON AFTER WEEKEND OF SHOOTINGS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s folks like these that we need more of doing the hard work of community violence prevention, not troops on the ground to undermine efforts fighting crime,&rdquo; Pritzker wrote.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cornersresearch.org\/projects\/flatlining-violence-inspires-peace-flip-research-evaluation-project\">Funded<\/a> by the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Peacekeepers program dispatches &ldquo;trained&rdquo; community members to de-escalate and mitigate conflicts in Chicago&rsquo;s most violent hot spots.<\/p>\n<p>State funding for the program was authorized through the passage of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ilga.gov\/Legislation\/ILCS\/Articles?ActID=4164&amp;ChapterID=39\">Reimagine Public Safety Act<\/a>, a 2021 initiative <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com\/gov-pritzker-highlights-progress-reducing-gun-violence-in-chicago\"><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">sign<\/span>ed&nbsp;into law<\/a> by Pritzker, which has since <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com\/gov-pritzker-joins-community-violence-prevention-leaders-in-chicagos-austin-community\">allocated<\/a> more than $350 million to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.state.il.us\/page.aspx?item=163810\">&ldquo;community violence intervention.&rdquo;<\/a> Peacekeepers receive &ldquo;a modest stipend&rdquo; under the program.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-washington-d-c\">Washington, D.C.<\/h2>\n<p>Cotey Wynn, who is awaiting trial for premeditated murder, was a full-time &ldquo;violence interrupter&rdquo; supervising a pilot public safety program within the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Washington-DC\">District of Columbia<\/a> attorney general&rsquo;s office.<\/p>\n<p>Wynn currently stands accused of aiding and abetting the murder of a businessman in a September 2023 mass shooting that wounded three others at a local smoking lounge.<\/p>\n<p>In March of this year, Wynn was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/mpdc.dc.gov\/release\/mpd-makes-two-arrests-2023-nightclub-homicide\">captured<\/a> by the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/eaccess.dccourts.gov\/eaccess\/search.page.3.1?x=3msnDEKLDlhO196AxdhEyHrcWAhRcOTDmRpnYFtbRQ9kgM7VZxggy4oTknJgSJsQn3*szPhQrtK8i4BjcxV1e5OfA1qtZwTKFFVWCYyRvVvbSpMCLWocPCPVD5uPIfD7eJbhVVJsB4mBsAg3cNFd2H78DlWCmR703BDfxzLrQ7g\">charged<\/a> with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the murder plot. According to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/eaccess.dccourts.gov\/eaccess\/search.page.3.1?x=oAoLObCQwVohf*kDgQJRFU1mmOg7ThVPigqps0FOprEwMWoucpzhalreWoSiLY911v0S3qD8UvMWgD5sei1FBygCGwwQtF6OmNYn-JhBYucfHLsPwW4PCFBrMw7v3sG49vMQFLZWMmhNDP47B1yOq7oajWGU8RO7kqWDsMEk-uY\">criminal complaint<\/a>, Wynn was seen on security tape surveying the victims&rsquo; bodies and signaling to the suspected gunman when and where to escape.<\/p>\n<p>Up until this point, Wynn was a program supervisor of a &ldquo;violence interruption&rdquo; initiative in the D.C. attorney general&rsquo;s office called <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/oag.dc.gov\/public-safety\/cure-streets-oags-violence-interruption-program\">Cure the Streets<\/a>. Wynn, who previously served 10 years in prison, led <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/oag.dc.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2020-02\/Cure-the-Streets-One-Pager-FINAL.pdf\">a team<\/a> of six &ldquo;violence interrupters&rdquo; and &ldquo;outreach workers.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cotey Wynn wearing a Cure the Streets shirt | Source: Instagram @coteyx<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>In July 2020, Wynn was spotlighted on the attorney general&rsquo;s website as a Cure the Streets success story. The since-deleted <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20201018022915\/https:\/\/oag.dc.gov\/blog\/cure-streets-spotlight-cotey-wynn\">profile<\/a> called Wynn &ldquo;a pillar of the community&rdquo; who exemplified &ldquo;community-driven public safety work.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Months later, in December 2020, Wynn was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/eaccess.dccourts.gov\/eaccess\/search.page.16.1?x=G9HbKcvYaDp8kRS6I-RBM1DWhw8GdJl6OKw8pStT219R*0ayxzJ-KrrIueFSbO30Rwg6EI7fH1sOmbBfRZ2OupmZrPOqQWygbxA0dnW87Lv7mSK4Jh6toxb1wz0xfzO-0OnzyYCp6oMH3F9ZT-l5o6ZBL8CoJm4GrB7AhJNkC94\">charged<\/a> with murder over a different shooting death stemming from 2017; however, that case was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/eaccess.dccourts.gov\/eaccess\/search.page.16.1?x=G9HbKcvYaDp8kRS6I-RBM1DWhw8GdJl6OKw8pStT219R*0ayxzJ-KrrIueFSbO30Rwg6EI7fH1sOmbBfRZ2OupmZrPOqQWygbxA0dnW87Lv7mSK4Jh6to3r9apkl8WU2i6rtF3vd6G6MWZDii7PEeXqhZnfTK9NNrY9cNInckvE\">dismissed<\/a> due to insufficient evidence.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/eaccess.dccourts.gov\/eaccess\/search.page.16.1?x=G9HbKcvYaDp8kRS6I-RBM1DWhw8GdJl6OKw8pStT219R*0ayxzJ-KrrIueFSbO30Rwg6EI7fH1sOmbBfRZ2OupmZrPOqQWygbxA0dnW87Lv7mSK4Jh6toyB4ZDTl1842o23PD9Lj9Ca1P5Apr9kYWRIq4pGdMmz1AIuCZanQbCw\">an affidavit<\/a>, while under arrest, Wynn &ldquo;appeared to brag about criminal cases that he had previously [beaten]&rdquo; and remarked that &ldquo;the government didn&rsquo;t do their homework&rdquo; before apprehending him.<\/p>\n<p>In response to his 2020 arrest, the attorney general&rsquo;s office <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/local\/public-safety\/violence-interrupter-charged-murder\/2020\/12\/04\/a947d12a-3695-11eb-b59c-adb7153d10c2_story.html\">stressed<\/a> that the 2017 homicide happened before Wynn was recruited into the Cure the Streets program.<\/p>\n<p>Karl Racine, then the D.C. attorney general, told reporters that he had met Wynn a few times through Cure the Streets and found him to be &ldquo;highly respected&rdquo; in the community.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;My impression of Cotey in the two years I&rsquo;ve known him is that he&rsquo;s extremely diligent, he&rsquo;s highly respected by his teammates and his community, and he&rsquo;s a conscientious, hard-working individual,&rdquo; Racine said. &ldquo;We certainly weren&rsquo;t aware of any matter related to the subject of his arrest yesterday.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who succeeded Racine, defended his office&rsquo;s hiring of ex-convicts in violence prevention programming, such as the Cure the Streets, during <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/oag.dc.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2023-06\/OAG%20Testimony%20on%20the%20Safer%20Stronger%20Amendment%20Act%20%281%29.pdf\">2023 testimony<\/a> in front of the D.C. City Council&rsquo;s judiciary and public safety committee.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Keeping them locked up&hellip;will not make us safer or stronger,&rdquo; Schwalb said.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2727553\/amid-crime-wave-fearful-democrats-abandon-criminal-justice-reform\/\">DC&rsquo;S CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BRINGS IN THE MOST VIOLENT YEAR IN TWO DECADES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Cure the Streets &ldquo;front-line&rdquo; staff must be <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/oag.dc.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/2021-06\/RFA-FY2021-.pdf\">&ldquo;culturally appropriate&rdquo;<\/a> &ldquo;community insiders,&rdquo; according to recruitment requirements. Staffers may be former gang members or have prior firearm convictions.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement responding to Wynn&rsquo;s latest arrest, Schwalb&rsquo;s office noted his reputation as a &ldquo;respected&rdquo; anti-violence activist.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Our office had no knowledge of Cotey&rsquo;s potential involvement in any events related to his arrest,&rdquo; Schwalb&rsquo;s administration <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fox5dc.com\/news\/dc-violence-interrupter-arrested-murder-dad-former-msu-basketball-player\">told<\/a> FOX 5 DC. &ldquo;He is well known throughout the District for his anti-violence work and is respected across the community.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-philadelphia\">Philadelphia<\/h2>\n<p>Self-described &ldquo;hood abolitionist&rdquo; Sergio Hyland was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/ujsportal.pacourts.us\/Report\/CpCourtSummary?docketNumber=CP-51-CR-0004161-2025&amp;dnh=W%2BOVGprkgYkTSffcgssVaQ%3D%3D\">arrested<\/a> in April for allegedly shooting <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheElevationProj\/posts\/800502798878507\">his girlfriend<\/a>, a mother of two, in the back of the head. Her body was found dumped underneath an overpass.<\/p>\n<p>Hyland, who was out on parole, served <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/support-sergios-homecoming-from-prison?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=customer-andr\">22 years in state prison<\/a> for a previous murder conviction before becoming a Philadelphia-based consultant on violence reduction and harm de-escalation strategies. He had <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250715012748\/https:\/\/www.uptownserg.com\/home\">a website<\/a> advertising his services, such as speaking engagements, one-on-one coaching, workshops, and &ldquo;criminal justice consultations.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mugshot of Sergio Hyland | Source: Philadelphia Police Department<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>During his time behind bars, Hyland was mentored by Russell Maroon Shoatz, a former Black Panther and soldier in the Black Liberation Army. Shoatz, whose mentorship &ldquo;politicized&rdquo; Hyland, had <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.odmp.org\/officer\/13692-sergeant-frank-r-von-colln\">murdered a Philadelphia police officer<\/a> in 1970.<\/p>\n<p>As an abolitionist, Hyland aims to abolish prisons and policing altogether.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;[A] special part of the population is more criticized than the other and, more policed than the other, and more incarcerated than the other,&rdquo; Hyland <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/resolvephilly.org\/gih\/gun-violence-perception-feb-2025\/\">told<\/a> <em>Resolve Philly<\/em>, urging a second-chance approach that affords offenders the &ldquo;opportunities to make mistakes.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Hyland, an organizer for the left-wing Pennsylvania Working Families Party, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/sergio-hyland-3322a5290_its-been-a-while-since-i-started-my-role-activity-7244319650493214724-86n8\/\">worked<\/a> to make &ldquo;criminal justice reform a priority in the progressive movement.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>A week before his arrest, Hyland endorsed Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/George-Soros\">Soros<\/a>-funded prosecutor, for reelection.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are proud to endorse him and support his unwavering commitment to transformative criminal justice reform,&rdquo; Hyland was quoted as saying in a Working Families Party statement. &ldquo;His initiatives to end mass incarceration, eliminate cash bail for nonviolent offenses, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/london-breed-on-boudin-criticizing-crime-measures-hes-white-and-didnt-grow-up-poor-doesnt-get-desire-to-be-safe\/\" title=\"London Breed on Boudin Criticizing ... Measures: He&#039;s White and Didn&#039;t Grow Up Poor, Doesn&#039;t Get &#039;Desire to Be Safe&#039;\">hold law enforcement accountable<\/a> for bad actions resonate deeply with our mission to advocate for policies that promote equity and justice for all Pennsylvanians.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Krasner said at the time that he was &ldquo;honored to accept their endorsement.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3499509\/philly-da-larry-krasner-warns-trump-stay-out-of-city\/\">SOROS-FUNDED PHILADELPHIA DA WARNS TRUMP TO STAY OUT OF HIS CITY<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When asked about Hyland&rsquo;s arrest, Krasner&rsquo;s campaign said that the DA&rsquo;s office is &ldquo;working closely&rdquo; with police to prosecute him as &ldquo;vigorously&rdquo; as the law allows.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Larry has only a passing awareness of Mr. Hyland and saw him at a few events on the campaign trail,&rdquo; a spokesperson for Krasner&rsquo;s campaign <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.inquirer.com\/crime\/sergio-hyland-murder-charge-working-families-party-20250429.html\">told<\/a> the <em>Philadelphia Inquirer<\/em>. &ldquo;The District Attorney&rsquo;s Office worked closely with the Philadelphia Police Department to charge him in this matter and will be vigorously prosecuting him to the fullest extent of the law.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Some Democrat-backed &#8216;peacekeepers&#8217; now charged with murder<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3767,"featured_media":2509495,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/McMiller-Pritzker.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[66917,3685,51050,44684],"class_list":["post-2509494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-community-peacekeepers","tag-democrats","tag-law-enforcement-2","tag-murder-charges"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/McMiller-Pritzker.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2509494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3767"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2509494"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2509494\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2509498,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2509494\/revisions\/2509498"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2509495"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2509494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2509494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2509494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}