Dennis McKinley appeared on our radar when he began a relationship with Porsha Williams. The Real Housewives of Atlanta star was briefly engaged to Dennis and they had a beautiful daughter during their courtship. Dennis and Porsha detailed their journey to parenthood as they filmed Porsha’s Having A Baby. Pilar Jhena was born in March of this year, and both Dennis and Porsha have proven to be a doting mom and dad.
Since, venturing into reality television has put Dennis under the microscope. He has answered to allegations of being too friendly with ex-girlfriends. A woman Dennis previously dated accused him of evicting her from their former residence. She also legally disputed ownership of a weave and extension line. While Porsha navigated trust issues with her fiancé, new rumors threatened to incriminate Dennis. A YouTuber with a bone to pick stated Dennis ALLEGEDLY cheated on Porsha. Despite multiple denials, the couple eventually decided to end their engagement. Now, Dennis has been accused of something else, and it has nothing to do with his past.
If you didn’t already know, Dennis is the Hot Dog King of Atlanta. He also appears to be quite wealthy, gifting both Porsha and his daughter matching Rolex watches and putting an extravagant ring on Porsha’s finger. Despite having cash in his wallet and access to an unlimited supply of meat stuck between two pieces of bread, Dennis has been accused of stealing a sandwich.
Dennis was at a routine doctor’s appointment and he bought a sandwich, as people generally do when they’re hungry. Seems pretty basic, right? Unfortunately what might be basic for some, is an entirely different scenario for others. Dennis shared an Instagram post showing him seated and handcuffed in a chair, speaking to a female officer.
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Dennis wrote he was “accosted by a super aggressive” cop “who racially profiled me and falsely accused me of stealing a $4 sandwich. I had a receipt which could have easily ended her inquiry. There was a cashier that could have easily verified that I paid for everything I had. There were a number of easy resolutions that could have deescalated the unnecessary racial profiling and my detention by this officer.”
Cell phone footage taken by a patron shows Dennis and the officer involved in a “heated discussion” as the officer advises Dennis he “escalated” the situation. That said, Dennis also posted photos of his arms visibly injured. Oh, and he also proved he bought the scandalous sandwich by posting the physical receipt. Now we have an innocent man handcuffed and publicly humiliated over a bill for, wait for it… $12.29.
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But don’t think Dennis is taking this lying down. He’s lawyered up with Eva Marcille’s husband. Michael Sterling will be representing Dennis as this issue moves forward. Michael even commented on Dennis’ post writing, “If no one objects or fights back, the wrongs will last forever.”
In a statement to Us Weekly, the Emory Police Department explained, “An Emory Police Department officer detained an individual suspected of not paying for an item. Once the officer learned the individual had purchased it, he was released.” Would an apology have been too much?
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In response, a representative for Dennis said, “Emory’s response is clearly the response of privilege. The privilege of someone completely out of touch with the reality of what that harrowing experience was like for Dennis. It is a response that does not recognize the pain and anguish of being profiled, despite your personal accomplishments and standing in society; they don’t understand what it’s like to be viewed as a criminal for no reason at all, except how you look; they don’t understand what it’s like to falsely accused of something you did not do; detained without provocation; and completely frightened to death that you could be shot by an overly aggressive police officer over a $4 sandwich. Are you kidding me, Emory. This type of indifference by Emory just made the experience all the more painful. This is shameful.”
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Hundreds of supportive comments flooded Dennis’ Instagram, with many calling for the firing of the female police officer involved in the exchange. Questions remain, why did something easily remedied result in getting physical? Did the officer ask for the receipt prior to cuffing? It sounds like Dennis is pursuing the case, though no papers have been filed and no official word given. The Hot Dog King might be hauling his buns and a police department straight into court. We’ll have to see if this event plays out on RHOA.
TELL US- IS DENNIS A VICTIM OF RACIAL PROFILING? ARE YOU SURPRISED THIS HAPPENED? WAS THE OFFICER OUT OF LINE?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
