A former Village of Timberlake police officer who moonlighted as security at a downtown Cleveland bar is now facing misdemeanor charges after a late-night incident that started inside the club and ended with a bullet hitting a car outside. The case is shining an uncomfortable spotlight on how off-duty officers are used at nightlife spots and stirring up fresh concern about safety in the Flats and nearby entertainment strips.
Court records show 42-year-old Mansell Baker was indicted Tuesday on two misdemeanor counts: dereliction of duty and failing to report a felony, stemming from a September 2025 episode at Filter, where he was working off-duty as security, according to WOIO. The station reports that DJ Treshawn Dunn allegedly got into a confrontation with patrons, then left the bar and fired a gun outside, with a round striking a vehicle. Bar owner Kyler Smith allegedly told Baker and another security guard, Adrian Hardges, to collect shell casings after the shot was fired. Baker, who was described as wearing a police jacket that night, resigned from the Timberlake Police Department on July 13 and is scheduled for arraignment on July 24, according to the outlet. Filter, located in the 700 block of W. Superior Ave., was the target of a city effort to shut it down as a nuisance, with a temporary restraining order granted in October 2025 before the venue later reopened, as previously reported by WOIO.
Legal implications
Under Ohio law, dereliction of duty and failure to report a felony are both misdemeanor offenses that can bring criminal penalties and professional fallout for public servants. The dereliction statute spells out the responsibilities of law enforcement officers and makes it a crime to negligently fail to carry out those duties. The failure-to-report statute makes it an offense to knowingly avoid notifying authorities about a felony. Both provisions are detailed in the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Revised Code, which outline the elements and potential penalties tied to each charge.
Who’s charged and what comes next
Along with Baker, local reporting indicates that Adrian Hardges, DJ Treshawn Dunn and owner Kyler Smith all face charges related to the shots-fired incident. Smith is also reportedly charged with additional counts tied to alleged after-hours alcohol sales and drug trafficking that are separate from the shooting itself. With Baker’s arraignment set for July 24, the case is poised to move into public court proceedings, which could lead to a trial, plea negotiations or dismissal depending on what evidence emerges and how prosecutors decide to proceed.
Neighborhood context
Filter’s recent history has already put it on the radar of city officials and nearby residents. Court filings last year cited complaints about liquor-law violations and violence at the bar, adding fuel to long-running worries over downtown nightlife and weekend crowd control. Neighbors and downtown stakeholders say this latest episode only heightens the ongoing tension between the draw of busy late-night venues and the push to curb violence around them.
As the criminal cases move forward, officials from the Cuyahoga County prosecutor’s office, Timberlake Police and Cleveland city agencies may release more details through court filings or public statements. We will continue to monitor available records and official comments and report updates as the situation develops.
