Anonymous Hacker Arrest Brings Attention to Akron Police Corruption

The aim of Robinson was to bring attention to the hypocrisy of the United States judicial system. He accomplished this not only through his operations, but also inadvertently through his arrest.

Location: Akron, Ohio – Yet another Anonymous member by the name of James Robinson, who goes by the handle @AkronPhoenix420, was arrested by “The Man” or, law enforcement. Robinson has been charged by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) for causing damages intentionally to a protected computer following the shut down of Akron city websites. Him being arrested, and the widespread attention as a result to his initiatives, has put the spotlight on the corrupt practices of Akron police.

Although incidents of police corruption in the United States are wide spreading, numerous regions and cities seem to be more prone to abuses by police than others. Akron is a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, a city with track record for police corruption, Akron doesn’t appear to be any different. This has been confirmed by other groups of Anonymous in the area of Akron.

Amanda Garrett of the Akron Beacon Journal reports that “whoever shut down the city of Akron’s website apparently believed Akron police and the city justice system were corrupt.” The passiveness of this statement implies the “apparent belief” in this corruption is unfounded. After looking further into the Akron police’s history however, there were decades of corruption uncovered.

Officers have been fired for unnecessary force, and charged for conspiracy connected to extortion and robbery. Reports reveal they’ve arrived to work drunk, and one former police sergeant critically injured his wife after he wrecked their vehicle while intoxicated. He was sentenced to two-years probation, and ordered to complete a three-day DUI program.

Officer Zachary Rosen was reinstated after being fired for kicking a handcuffed suspect in the face. Meanwhile, a fascist park ranger officer had beaten an elderly couple simply for honking at him.

During 2016, an officer by the name of Michael Simmons had stolen over $26,000 from a charity fund used to purchase gifts for poor children. He was ordered to pay back $15,000.

At the start of 2018, James Nice, former Akron police chief, was charged with misconduct and pressed to resign. According to reports, James Nice made attempts to interfere in a criminal case involving his nephew. He also had coerced a female employee into a relationship.

Then there’s the case of Xavier McMullen, a 17-year-old boy who, according to police, fatally shot himself with a gun in the back of a patrol car. Xavier’s hands were handcuffed behind his back, yet he was somehow able to fatally shoot himself in the head. One officer was docked 24-hours pay as a disciplinary measure. Xavier’s family is still unsure of events, and hasn’t received answers from the Akron police.

According to Bleeping Computer’s condescending report on Robinson, Federal Agents were able to track him down after he connected to his Twitter account from his home IP address. Lesson being; don’t forget to use a VPN.

Free Our Brother! Join the storm, we don't let each other wander in the dark alone.#OpFreePhoenix420 #FreePhoenix #FreePhoenix420 #FreeAnons #Anonymous pic.twitter.com/o7ocLJY0Ox

— Anonyan 🏴🌹 (@Anarchy420Anon) May 19, 2018

Robinson’s aim was bringing attention to the hypocrisy of the United States judicial system. He accomplished this not only through his operations, but also inadvertently through his arrest. While the FBI focused all of their attention on this one Anon, Akron police will most likely be allowed to continue their criminal activities and go unchecked.

You can show your support for Robinson by sharing his story. Follow the hashtag, #OpFreePhoenix420 for further information. Additionally, you can show your support through FreeAnons.org, a network set in place for assistance to arrested Anons.