{"active":false,"first_name":"Benjamin","last_name":"Soto","race":"Hispanic","gender":"Male","rank":"DT3","command":{"command":"MELD","assignment_date":"2025-01-17","id":"MELD"},"shield_no":3600,"ended_date":"2025-01-02","taxid":"926154","complaint_ids":[202305433,202300872,201106244,201104169,200905176,200816620,200813509,200807078,200302622,200200818],"command_history":[{"command":"INT DIV","id":"424"},{"command":"INT CIS","id":"10"},{"command":"PSA 3","id":"PSA3"}],"appt_date":"2000-03-01","middle_initial":"E","shield_no_history":[1029,10029],"lawsuits":[{"name":"Green, Ellen, et al. vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2014-10-24","disposition_date":"2017-06-29","payout_amount":52500,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"14CV06048","court":"U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY","officer_name":"Soto, Benjamin E.","summary":"On January 28, 2014, plaintiffs were lawfully present in an apartment where two plaintiffs lived when several officers kicked in the front door and stormed into the premises, seizing the plaintiffs at gunpoint. The officers refused to produce a warrant. The officers handcuffed and searched plaintiffs and then searched the premises. Plaintiffs were transported to a precinct and were released without charges except for Green. Plaintiff Sanchez sustained bruising and pain to wrists and hands due to being handcuffed excessively tightly. Plaintiff Gumby was struck in her leg. Plaintiff Green was thrown to the ground and one officer placed his knee on her neck. She was dragged from room to room and sustained bruising, lacerations, and pain to her legs. Plaintiff Donovan Green was arraigned on a criminal complaint containing false allegations by P.O. Nocerino. He was prosecuted for several months before the charges were dismissed.","documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.361934/gov.uscourts.nyed.361934.12.0.pdf","type":"complaint"},{"url":"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4920251-Green-et-al-v-The-City-of-New-York-et-al"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6294238/green-v-the-city-of-new-york/"},{"name":"Marrero, Kevin vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2014-05-23","disposition_date":"2014-11-17","payout_amount":7500,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"14CV01696","court":"U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY","officer_name":"Soto, Benjamin E.","summary":"On March 29, 2011, Plaintiff was helping a known individual fix his car when several officers rushed him and placed him under arrest. After being handcuffed, the officers searched Plaintiff and did not find any contraband. He was then taken to the precinct with the individual. Plaintiff was denied food drink, and phone calls at the precinct. He was falsely arraigned on weapons charges and was transported to Riker's Island. On April 1, 2011, the DA's Office dismissed all charges against Plaintiff, but Plaintiff remained incarcerated until April 2 for no legitimate reason. While at the precinct, the officers took Plaintiff's new leather jacket, sneakers, and hoodie, which were vouchered but never returned.","documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.353839/gov.uscourts.nyed.353839.12.0.pdf","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13139020/marrero-v-the-city-of-new-york/"},{"name":"Green, Michael vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2014-02-05","disposition_date":"2014-08-01","payout_amount":12500,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"13CV06146","court":"U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY","officer_name":"Soto, Benjamin E.","summary":"On August 11, 2012, Plaintiff was at a barbeque with friends when, without cause, justification or permission, defendants Officer Mosca and Officer Napoli approached and detained the plaintiff. Plaintiff was handcuffed by Defendant Napoli and pushed to the ground and kicked several times in the stomach by Defendant Mosca. Plaintiff was then taken to PSA3 and transported to Central Booking where, without cause or justification, Plaintiff was searched again. Plaintiff was released on August 12, 2012 and all charges were dismissed. Plaintiff spent about 26 hours in custody. \n\nOn August 29, 2012, Plaintiff was approached and detained by Officer Soto and an unidentified officer while walking home. Defendant Soto ordered the plaintiff to put his hands against the wall and, while Plaintiff faced the wall, the unidentified officer searched him. Defendant Soto then slammed the plaintiff's face against the wall, causing the plaintiff's lips, nose and eye to bleed. Defendants did not find anything illegal on the plaintiff and left the scene. No charges arose from this stop.","documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nyed.348991/gov.uscourts.nyed.348991.11.0.pdf","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13050365/green-v-the-city-of-new-york/"},{"name":"Thomas, Shawn v. The City of New York","court":"U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY","plaintiff_race":"Black or African American","summary":"1st incident: Plaintiff was recording an incident of police brutality when Defendant Officer Karimzada approached him, pushed him, took his phone, and tightly handcuffed him. Plaintiff was taken to  PSA 3 and charged with Obstructing Governmental Admin, Dis Con, and Crim Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, which were all later dismissed. 2nd incident: Plaintiff went back to precinct a few months later to identify the Officers when Soto and Bogdanowicz attacked him and charged him with Dis Con. 3rd incident: Plaintiff was handing out cards to individuals leaving court that had information about videotaping the police when OCA court officers took the cards, handcuffed plaintiff to a chair, and charged him with Unlicensed Vending and Possession of a Knife, both later dismissed.  4th incident: While at court, Defendants Keane, Knollen, and Fay took Plaintiffs phone, demanded his password, and charged him with Dis Con when he refused to give it to him.  When he got his phone back it had been tampered with.  5th incident: Plaintiff was videoing an arrest in the subway when Defendant Rojas dragged Plaintiff out of the station, assaulted him, handcuffed him and charged him with Obstructing Governmental Admin, Resisting Arrest, and Dis Con, all later dismissed.","documents":[{"url":"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4920645-Thomas-Shawn-v-The-City-of-New-York"}],"docket":"15CV02594","officer_name":"Benjamin E. Soto","url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6068213/thomas-v-city-of-new-york/"}],"documents":[{"url":"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23824863-saitta-940690-12-43523_redacted"},{"url":"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23824843-saitta-940690-13-9423_redacted"}],"id":"FT3F","url":"https://www.50-a.org/officer/FT3F"}