‘Cincinnati Beatdown’ Suspects Identified And Charged As DOJ Gets Involved

A violent street brawl in the heart of downtown Cincinnati has now drawn the attention of federal authorities, with multiple arrests made and charges filed after a disturbing attack was caught on video and shared across social media.

The incident unfolded around 3 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, outside the LoVe nightclub and a nearby restaurant on Fourth and Elm Streets. Dozens of people witnessed the brutal scene: one man was slammed to the ground and repeatedly kicked, while a woman was left motionless, bleeding from her mouth. The footage, which quickly went viral, caused public outrage and calls for accountability.

By midweek, three individuals had been arrested in connection with the beating. The most recent arrest came on Wednesday, when Jermaine Matthews was taken into custody and charged with aggravated riot and assault. “Sources also said that the individual was booked overnight,” Fox News reported.

The two others arrested earlier in the week were 34-year-old Montianez Merriweather and 24-year-old Dekyra Vernon, both facing charges of felonious assault, aggravated riot, and assault. On Wednesday morning, all three appeared in court for bond hearings. Merriweather’s bond was set at $500,000, Vernon’s at $200,000, and Matthews at $100,000.

via Cincinnati Police Department

During the hearing, prosecutors said Matthews was caught on video chasing a victim into the street and kicking him multiple times after he fell. When asked about the nature of the attack, prosecutors stated it appeared to be intentional.

Authorities said a total of five people have now been charged in the incident, though only three have been taken into custody so far.

Merriweather was already out on bond for previous charges involving stolen property and weapons violations. Vernon is accused of assaulting the woman seen in the video, trying to intervene. Matthews, whose role in the attack was also caught on video, was described as one of the more aggressive participants.

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge voiced frustration that only one person among roughly 100 witnesses called 911. “For us to get one phone call about this incident is unacceptable in this city,” she said.

Mayor Aftab Pureval issued a strong response: “I am outraged by the vicious fight that occurred downtown… this unacceptable and disgusting behavior is intolerable in any part of our community.”

On Monday, the FBI confirmed to Fox News Digital that it had launched a federal investigation and was actively collaborating with the Cincinnati Police Department. “The FBI has been and will continue closely coordinating with the Cincinnati Police Department on this matter,” the bureau said.

The Department of Justice is also involved. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon posted on X: “EVERY American is entitled to the equal protection of our laws. Federal law enforcement is on it and we will ensure that justice is done.” Dhillon added that if racial motivations were involved, hate crime statutes could be pursued.

Pressure for federal involvement came from Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH), who said he had “secured the federal investigation” after working to connect DOJ officials with the victims.

As the investigation expands and public scrutiny mounts, authorities are expected to pursue additional arrests.