John Michael Eskildsen, a Virginia Beach neighbor, is accused of making racist monkey noises towards a Black family who lives nearby.
On September 30, 2021, CNN reported that a Virginia Beach woman called Jannique Martinez claims that when her family activates his sensors, her neighbor plays recordings of racial slurs and monkey noises.
Jannique Martinez, who is Black, works in health care, and has young children, told CNN, “I adored this home the minute we found it.” “It was just what I had in mind for my family and for growing my children in a pleasant, quiet neighborhood.”
The situation, however, swiftly devolved into a nightmare. However, CNN did not identify John Eskildsen as the neighbor. On social media profiles, including a Facebook page, he was accused.
Virginia Beach Scanner Uncensored is the name of the project. Eskildsen’s address appears to be the one in question, according to online data.
Martinez lives in Virginia Beach, according to public records. They also reveal that she resides in 2005 on the street in question, while he resides in 2001. He has 47 years on this planet. His address is listed online, and photographs of his home on Google Maps match the photo on CNN. Martinez and another neighbor were contacted by Heavy regarding John Michael Eskildsen.
What you need to know is as follows:
1. Martinez made a video accusing his next-door neighbor of making “monkey noises” at him and his family
“In this day and age, this is what my family and I have to deal with,” Martinez wrote on Facebook. EVERY SINGLE DAY, MY HATEFUL NEIGHBOR PLAYS THIS ALONG WITH THE MONKEY SOUNDS AGAINST ME AND MY FAMILY!! We are not protected by any laws in the Commonwealth. This has a mental and emotional impact on my children. It’s a sad time for us all!!”
When he was accused of being the neighbor, the name John Eskildsen became a trending topic on social media.
“He scares my son to death.” Martinez told WAVY.com that he was “horrified, terrified.” “The situation with the N-word… ‘Mom, what’s that?’ they said as they approached me. That was not something I did to my children. I didn’t imagine they’d have to figure out what this meant.” She claimed that her next-door neighbor has a slew of monitoring cameras.
Eskildsen has not responded to several requests for comment from news organizations.
2. The Virginia Beach Police Department describes the behavior as “appalling,” but it does not rise to the level of criminal activity, according to the department
The police have practically stated that they are powerless to intervene.
“The VBPD has responded to multiple requests for service relating to nuisance/loud music complaints on Jessamine Court over the past several months,” the Virginia Beach Police Department wrote on Twitter. Regardless of how heinous and offensive the neighbors’ activities are, the city attorney and Virginia magistrates have independently ruled that the conduct documented thus far do not reach to the threshold of criminal behavior as defined by Virginia law. This means that the VBPD lacked the jurisdiction to interfere, and warrants were denied. We’ll keep a careful eye on the situation, examine concerns, and, within the bounds of the law, assist this family in dealing with this dreadful circumstance.”
According to CNN, Virginia Beach police are “acutely aware of the ongoing scenario.”
The Virginia Beach Police Department said in a statement to CNN that “the observed conduct has been examined with the City Attorney for potential criminal sanctions; nevertheless, it was found that the behaviour, while horrific, is not legally actionable.”
3. Martinez told CNN that depending on the neighbor, the music changes
Martinez told CNN that the neighbor’s house is equipped with a sensor that emits blinking lights. “They all start to blink” when her family leaves or comes home, and loud music plays. However, he changes the music depending on which household turns it on.
She claimed that her next-door neighbor makes monkey noises. The family contacted the authorities.
“He’s been playing N—– skits he discovered online since that day,” she explained. Martinez stated he does sketches like “Black folks have nothing better to do on a Friday night than go to a comedy club,” and “Hey everyone, see it’s N—– guy.” “Hello, N—– person,” everyone says.
“A man next door blares monkey sounds, banjo music, and racist obscenities at Martinez and her family — a situation that has gone on for months,” according to NPR.
4. Eskildsen worked in technical support, according to an old bankruptcy petition
Through federal court documents, Heavy.com was able to get a 2005 bankruptcy filing in the name of John Michael Eskildsen. It listed Marylou Licudo Eskildsen as a joint debtor and listed both of their residences as the Jessamine Court address in Virginia Beach.
They were described as having assets ranging from 0 to $50,000 and debts ranging from 1 to 15 creditors.
They had over $20,000 in personal property listed. They had barely $10 in their checking accounts and $965 in furniture.
His occupation was stated at the time as technical assistance for Canon, where he had worked for four years. His wife’s occupation was described as “unemployed.” His gross monthly income was only $2,10379 dollars.
The pair was married with a three-month-old baby and a five-year-old daughter, according to the bankruptcy petition.
He made approximately $23-26,000 per year over the years. The petition can be found here.
Eskilden’s father, Walter, died in 2016, according to an obituary found by Heavy. Walter was a federal government employee, a veteran, and a member of his church, according to the obituary. “John and Marylou,” his son and daughter-in-law, are listed in his obituary.
In Virginia court records, his name appears in one case, but the specifics were not immediately clear. “Charge: 58/45 SP,” according to the case file, looks to be a speeding ticket. In such records, his race is listed as white. In addition to a 2013 speeding case, his wife has convictions for expired registration and failure to get a car inspected.
He married in Virginia Beach in 1999, according to marriage documents on Ancestry.com.
There were no photos or clear social media sites for John Eskildsen to be discovered.
5. Neighbors Have Banded Together to Support the Martinez Family
“We currently have some peace, and our neighbors do not have to face the racial slurs shouted at them!” wrote a local woman on Facebook, referring to a gathering in favor of the Martinez family. The community’s response has been incredible. We want nothing more than to be able to live in peace in our own houses. Without the nonsense, kids run about doing their thing! It’s not yet over! However, it’s a start!”
Martinez’s family has also been protected by city leaders.
According to Pilot Online, Council Member Michael Berlucchi said during a city meeting, “It may be legal, but it’s not right.” “In Virginia Beach, we can’t allow that to happen.”
It was “inappropriate and will not be permitted in Virginia,” Virginia’s attorney general told The Washington Post. According to The Washington Post, his Office of Civil Rights is attempting to assist the Martinez family.
“The sounds play through a window roughly every 15 to 30 seconds,” Pilot Online reported, adding that the sounds have been softer since the outrage.
