Urgent Legal Defense Fund for Nathaniel
Nathaniel is currently being held in jail without bond following a violent and deeply concerning encounter at a Dollar General in Frederick County, Virginia. This fundraiser is to retain private legal counsel who can immediately seek his release, protect his safety, and defend his rights.
This is time-sensitive. Without swift legal intervention, Nathaniel remains jailed while evidence degrades and his health is at risk.
What Happened
Nathaniel was approached inside a Dollar General store by law enforcement and accused of shoplifting. A witness at the scene, April, began recording video. On that video, Nathaniel empties his pockets completely, handing over all of his belongings — wallet, phone, money, cigarettes — demonstrating that he had nothing concealed.
Despite this, the situation escalated rapidly. Nathaniel was allegedly grabbed and thrown into store shelving, then taken outside where he was reportedly slammed face-first onto the ground. During the incident, a person identified as a “security guard” allegedly choked Nathaniel until he lost consciousness.
Nathaniel was taken to the hospital and is currently receiving muscle relaxers and pain medication while in jail due to his injuries.
Critically, Nathaniel was never charged with shoplifting, despite that being the stated reason for the stop.
Instead, after he was already restrained and injured, police later claimed to have found drugs on him — raising serious questions, given that his pockets had already been emptied on video before the assault occurred.
Why This Case Is Alarming
- No shoplifting charge was filed, despite it being the basis for the confrontation.
- Video evidence exists showing Nathaniel emptying his pockets prior to any alleged discovery of drugs.
- Severe force was used during a non-violent retail stop.
- Strangulation and loss of consciousness are medically serious events.
- Nathaniel is being held without bond, despite no violent offense and no flight risk.
- Bond has already been denied by both a magistrate and a judge.
- Access to public defense has been limited and unresponsive.
Nathaniel is presumed innocent, yet he is experiencing prolonged pretrial detention and ongoing threats of further force while awaiting trial.
Why Independent Counsel Is Especially Urgent
The witness who recorded this encounter, April, is a long-standing member and organizer with UPROAR (Uniting Prisoners’ Relatives Organizing Against Repression).
April is the mother of Austin Arocho, an incarcerated person whose case has been the subject of extensive public advocacy, documentation, and organizing through UPROAR. April has been a major force within UPROAR’s work — including pursuing FOIA requests, demanding accountability for abuse and medical neglect, and helping organize sustained public pressure around prison and jail conditions.
In that context, supporters have serious concerns about bias, targeting, or retaliation when an incident escalates this violently and results in prolonged detention without bond — particularly where the original allegation was never charged and substantial evidentiary questions exist.
While motive cannot be established without discovery, these circumstances underscore why independent legal counsel is essential: to move quickly on bond, preserve video and medical evidence, demand records, and challenge unlawful detention and excessive force.
Why Funds Are Needed Now
Nathaniel’s supporters have consulted with private defense counsel who is prepared to act immediately, including filing for bond and challenging the legality of Nathaniel’s arrest, detention, and treatment.
- A consultation fee has already been paid.
- $3,500 is required immediately to retain counsel and begin legal action.
- Once released, Nathaniel intends to work and continue paying his legal costs himself.
Without this retainer, no bond motion will be filed and Nathaniel will remain jailed while his case stalls.
Early intervention can make the difference between prolonged pretrial incarceration and immediate relief, and between lost evidence and accountability.
Use of Funds
All funds raised through this Action Network fundraiser will be used exclusively for Nathaniel’s legal defense, with a priority on securing bond and addressing the legality of his arrest and detention.
