MVPL Trustee Jonathan Davis Arrested For Harassment Of Female Trustee

Jonathan Michael Davis was arrested at his home by Mount Vernon Police for criminal harassment on Friday, October 20th. While not much is known about the arrest, here is what Black Westchester was able to find out.

Davis was elected Mount Vernon Public Library (MVPL) Board President in August 2023 and removed as president by the board a month later, on September 20, 2023.

On Monday, October 16, 2023, Mr. Davis had his library privileges withdrawn for not exceeding 120 days based on the Code of Conduct Policy Violation(s). Privileges withdrawn include denial of entry into or onto the Library’s premises (the MVPL building(s), sidewalk(s), parking lot, garden, and all associated spaces and properties), as well as denial of use of all Library materials and services. An attempt or success to enter the aforementioned will be deemed an act of trespassing.

Davis is accused of allegedly committing three acts that violate the Mount Vernon Public Library Code of Conduct: no abusive language to staff or patrons, no creating a public disturbance, and no harassing staff or patrons. You can find the Mount Vernon Public Library Code of Conduct Policy in its entirety here.

On or about Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at approximately 7:55 p.m., following the adjournment of a meeting of the MVPL Board of Trustees, Mr. Davis violated the Code of Conduct Policy, according to a document Black Westchester obtained.

According to the document and witnesses, Mr. Davis repeatedly shouted the phrase “this bitch, bitch, your fucking lying bitch!” referring to a female trustee, Hope Marable, after being removed from the office of board president by the board, while lowering in the hallway adjacent to the Library’s South 2nd Avenue entrance, and eventually charging that female Ms. Marable with a clenched fist as she was standing in the Grace Baker Community Room at the far-left side of the Trustees’ meeting table.

The document goes on to describe Mr. Davis loudly exclaiming, “I don’t need no fucking tape…” in close proximity to Ms. Marable. When the trustee walked away, Mr. Davis pursued her and followed her to the far right end of the Trustees’ desk, at which point the Mount Vernon Police Department intervened to shield Ms. Marable from Mr. Davis’ pursuit. The officer(s) had to intervene two more times, and Mr. Davis continued to approach the female trustee.

Then, after loitering in the library hallway, Mr. Davis accosted and violently grabbed a second female trustee, Board President Chanese Coleman, who was exiting the MVPL’s South First Avenue entrance. Mr. Davis repeatedly attempted to make his case to the Board President, shouting, “Hope… that bitch, Hope… that motherfucking bitch… that bitch,” referring to Ms. Marable. Mr. Davis demanded Board President Coleman get in his vehicle. When she refused, Mr. Davis responded by grabbing and pulling her arm, attempting to force her into his vehicle as she refused. She broke free from Mr. Davis and jumped into the MVPL Director’s vehicle.

Before the director could drive off, Mr. Davis allegedly jumped in his car and intentionally blocked the director from exiting the parking lot. Mr. Davis then jumped out of his car and approached the passenger side of the director’s car to get at the Board President.

The incident was caught on videotape and witnessed by Library Trustees, MVPL Staff, members of the MVPD, guests, visitors, and patrons of the MVPL. Black Westchester has learned an order of protection was issued to keep Mr. Davis away from Board President Coleman.

We called the Mount Vernon Police Department to confirm Mr. Davis’ arrest and were told they cannot give us that information over the phone and that we have to come in during business hours during the week. We called the MVPL Director and Ms. Coleman, the Board President for comment; both said they had no comment at this time.

We contacted Trustee Marable for comment on report of Trustee Davis’ arrest and she replied, “Only Thatt I wish him well.”

We reached out to Mr. Davis – who is the husband of former MVPL Board Trustee Judy Williams Davis – to give him an opportunity to comment, but received no response by press time.

Stay tuned to Black Westchester for more on this developing story.