Several advocates for violence prevention are now facing serious criminal charges, raising questions about the effectiveness and oversight of their programs. In 2025, five activists from various U.S. cities, including Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Flint, Michigan, and Chicago, were charged with violent offenses such as murder and assault, according to court records and multiple reports.
Each of these individuals had previously been involved in initiatives aimed at reducing crime through community engagement. For instance, Kellen McMiller, a member of the Peacekeepers program in Chicago, was arrested in September for his alleged involvement in a deadly burglary. Following an event where he was photographed with Democratic Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, McMiller reportedly robbed a Louis Vuitton store and, while fleeing, crashed into another vehicle, resulting in the death of the other driver. He now faces charges of murder and theft, and his court proceedings have been delayed due to his hospitalization.
In a related incident, Cotey Wynn, a former inmate turned “violence interrupter,” was highlighted by the Washington, D.C. attorney general’s office in 2020. Currently, he is accused of participating in a murder plot at a smoking lounge that left one man dead and three others injured. Surveillance footage allegedly captured Wynn signaling the gunman to leave the scene. Wynn has been denied bail while awaiting trial.
In Philadelphia, another activist, Sergio Hyland, was arrested in April for allegedly shooting his girlfriend and disposing of her body. Hyland, a self-described “hood abolitionist,” had previously advocated for legal reforms and was linked to various community outreach efforts. His legal team has stated that the evidence presented against him is insufficient, despite phone records and witness testimony suggesting otherwise.
Anthony Hall, who formerly led Rochester’s Pathways to Peace program, was sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting a police officer during a domestic incident. Hall’s nonprofit was intended to provide alternatives to traditional policing, but he also faced charges of defrauding a nonprofit while running the program.
Lastly, Leon El-Alamin, a councilman in Flint, Michigan, was charged with domestic violence and assault in July after an incident involving an ex-girlfriend. El-Alamin had previously benefited from a “clean slate” program initiated by Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer that allowed him to expunge his criminal record.
These incidents have prompted organizations like Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI) to reassess their vetting processes for community advocates. MPI Executive Director Vaughn Bryant acknowledged the need for improved standards, stating, “I think it’s just an opportunity for us to get better at what we do.”
The repercussions of these arrests extend beyond the individuals involved, impacting the public perception of violence prevention programs and their leadership. As these cases develop, they may influence discussions surrounding community safety and the strategies employed to combat crime in urban areas.
