{"active":false,"first_name":"Steven","last_name":"Kells","race":"White","gender":"Male","rank":"SGT","command":{"command":"113 PCT","id":"113pct"},"shield_no":4674,"ended_date":"2018-06-01","taxid":"917813","complaint_ids":[201202477,200207332],"appt_date":"1996-07-18","lawsuits":[{"name":"Diomande, Kassia vs City of Ny, et al.","start_date":"2021-08-13","disposition_date":"2024-03-11","payout_amount":50000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"20CV05570","court":"U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY","documents":[{"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.455975/gov.uscourts.nyed.455975.8.0.pdf","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18636291/diomande-v-city-of-new-york/"},{"name":"Toussaint, Johan & Gregory vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2015-06-22","disposition_date":"2018-06-14","payout_amount":3000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"706484/2015","court":"Supreme Court - Queens","officer_name":"Kells, Steven R.","summary":"On June 22, 2014, the plaintiff was unlawfully stopped without an arrest warrant and subsequently falsely arrested, detained, seized, and handcuffed with excessive force and pressure by NYPD officers, including Christopher Viverito, Steven Kells, and John Vixen.\n\nWhile in custody, the plaintiff was denied edible food and drink, deprived of sleep, taunted, harassed, and placed in fear for his safety and life. The plaintiff was housed in cells with violent felons and kept incarcerated without just or probable cause.\n\nThe officers maliciously initiated a criminal prosecution against the plaintiff by filing affidavits that falsely claimed eyewitnesses had identified the plaintiff at the scene of the alleged crime. However, these witnesses were not present at the time of the plaintiff's arrest, were never shown a photograph of the plaintiff, and no lineup was ever conducted for their identification.\n\nThe officers coerced, unduly influenced, and otherwise convinced the witnesses to falsely identify the plaintiff, thereby furthering the wrongful prosecution.","documents":[{"url":"https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=W5VAwMQmktsJdM8fqrANyg==","type":"complaint"}]},{"name":"Schofield, Rodney vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2013-02-14","disposition_date":"2013-09-30","payout_amount":20000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"13CV00604","court":"U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY","officer_name":"Kells, Steven R.","summary":"On September 28, 2012, plaintiff Rodney Schofield was DJing at a party in the Bronx when defendant police officers entered and began searching the venue and the basement. Defendant PO Viverito told plaintiff that the police had found a gun and marijuana. Defendant PO Viverito then said to plaintiff, in sum and substance, “you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. We need to put this on someone.” Plaintiff told defendant PO Viverito that he had nothing to do with any gun or any marijuana and that he was only the DJ. Defendant PO Viverito then arrested plaintiff without probable cause or legal justification. Plaintiff was handcuffed behind his back. Defendant Sergeant Steven Kells told plaintiff, in sum and substance, “don’t worry, you won’t get charged with this, it won’t stick. It is just the process you have to go through.” Plaintiff was searched and nothing was found. Plaintiff was taken to the precinct at approximately 1:00 am on September 29, 2012.  Plaintiff was interviewed by members of the Queens County District Attorney’s Office. Shortly thereafter, plaintiff was released from custody without charge. The Queens County District Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute any charges against plaintiff.\n\nPlaintiff continues to feel traumatized by the events of September 28 and 29, 2012. Plaintiff is wary when he sees police officers in public. Plaintiff feels frustration, anger, embarrassment, humiliation, loss of liberty, and financial loss as a result of the incident.","documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.338762/gov.uscourts.nyed.338762.16.0.pdf","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13049224/schofield-v-new-york-city/"}],"id":"BR9Z","url":"https://www.50-a.org/officer/BR9Z"}