{"active":true,"first_name":"Wilfredo","last_name":"Benitez","race":"Hispanic","gender":"Male","rank":"DT2","command":{"command":"044 PCT","assignment_date":"2011-01-12","id":"44pct"},"shield_no":5619,"taxid":"947459","complaint_ids":[202403809,202406427,202306496,202302758,202202380,202202882,202103186,202000326,201905623,201903597,201808544,201710140,201701446,201501251,201309098,201307019,201305988,201211813,201210147,201112005,200907970],"appt_date":"2008-07-08","age":53,"shield_no_history":[15506],"lawsuits":[{"name":"Robinson, Christian vs City of Ny, et al.","start_date":"2025-01-03","disposition_date":"2026-02-06","payout_amount":27500,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"800122/2025E","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx"},{"name":"Marte, Ricky Garcia vs The City of Ny, et al.","start_date":"2024-07-08","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"","docket":"810762/2024E","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","summary":"Plaintiff operated and owned a car wash business, licensed in the City of New York, Bronx County.  On October 11, 2023, December 23, 2023 and January 12, 2024, where Defendant officers, POLICE DEPARTMENT DETECTIVE WILFREDO BENITEZ, POLICE OFFICER RIEGUY FERNANDEZ, and unnamed police officers of the 44th Police Precinct harassed, intimidated, and improperly detained Plaintiff.  Defendant Detective Benitez was in charge of this police presence and directed his fellow officers and defendants to violate Plaintiffs rights.  Detective Benitez threatened Plaintiff and expressed that he would return and exact punishment if Plaintiff didn't cease doing business. \n\nDefendants returned to Plaintiff's business, handcuffed Plaintiff, injured his right arm and shoulder and hauled Plaintiff to the precinct where he given a summons for resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration. At the time of the arrest, Defendants seized Plaintiff's vans, tools, generator, washer, vacuum and polish machine, all of which were damaged beyond repair while in police custody.  From the date of the original incident and continuing to the present, police have persistently targeted Plaintiff issued many frivolous summonses, despite Plaintiff lawfully doing business.","documents":[{"url":"https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=61qts0RU6DIC0yrWjBvQkg==","type":"complaint"}]},{"name":"Sidibeh, Mahamadou, et al. vs City of Ny, et al.","start_date":"2022-03-09","disposition_date":"2024-02-16","payout_amount":25000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"803614/2022E","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","summary":"On June 5, 2020, Mahamadou Sidibeh, Muhammed Gumaneh and Usman Haruna (Plaintiffs) were illegally stopped, seized and searched, battered and assaulted, detained, and arrested, by Kevin Ramirez, Jose Mercedes, Jorge Flores, Scott Smith, Daniel Baca, Wilfredo Benitez, and John or Jane Does 1-10 (Defendants). Plaintiff Sidibeh was lawfully present on the sidewalk and pulled out his phone to lawfully record the conduct of the Defendants, and in response, the Defendants illegally seized and forcefully took Plaintiff Sidibeh's phone from his possession without his consent or asking for his consent. He was then illegally stopped and seized by the defendants. He was accused of a criminal offense and his arms were violently contorted behind his as they apply metal handcuffs disregarding Plaintiff s complaints that the cuffs were placed on too tightly causing him significant discomfort and pain. Defendants ignored all of Mr. Sidibeh's pleas to loosen the handcuffs, which resulted in Plaintiff s wrists and hands sustaining loss of feeling, redness, and swelling. Plaintiff Gumaneh was likewise lawfully present on the sidewalk in the vicinity of this complained-of-incident and waiting for an Uber driver to pick him up and take him home. Defendants then approached him and was illegally stopped and seized him by forcefully grabbing him about his person with their outstretched hands and pressing him into a nearby wall and slamming his forehead into said wall. Plaintiff Gumaneh was also accused of a criminal offense and was tightly handcuffed. Plaintiff Haruna was also present in the vicinity and was illegally approached, stopped and questioned. He was likewise accused of a criminal offense and was illegally seized and tightly handcuffed. Plaintiffs were placed in a police vehicle and was transported to the 44th Precinct. Plaintiffs were illegally detained over the course of two (2) days before their release from physical custody with criminal court summonses, on or about June 6, 2020.","documents":[{"url":"https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=1Ks2VLyNGd33VyHzxvKBtA==","type":"complaint"}]},{"name":"Hough, Calife vs City of Ny, et al.","start_date":"2022-02-08","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"","docket":"801918/2022E","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","summary":"On June 5, 2020, plaintiff was stopped, searched, seized, arrested and detained pursuant to a warrant caused to be issued a day before by defendants BELLO, HENNESSY, MAHER and BENITEZ.  Plaintiff was then caused to be forcibly removed by them to a precinct, where he was criminally processed, fingerprinted, photographed, strip-searched with an attendant cavity inspection and retina scanned.  Defendants BELLO, HENNESSY, MAHER and BENITEZ stopped plaintiff by grabbing him by their bodies and limbs and physically restraining plaintiff while violently contorting his arms behind his back before finally affixing metal handcuffs to Plaintiff’s wrists in an excessively tight fashion.  Defendants then strip-searched plaintiff with attendant cavity inspections of his person.  Defendants, including officers BELLO, HENNESSY, MAHER and BENITEZ caused a criminal complaint to be filed against plaintiff, which falsely accused plaintiff of Attempted Murder in the First Degree and other related charges.  This included evidence that they had fabricated, namely that plaintiff was observed on video causing serious physical\ninjuries to a uniformed police officer of the City of New York by striking said officer with the motor vehicle operated by Plaintiff.  Plaintiff was released from custody on or about June 15, 2020.  All charges were dismissed on September 15, 2020.","documents":[{"url":"https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=b4B2HlLuGedwaMJmXScocQ==","type":"complaint"}]},{"name":"Baskerville, Rosemarie, et al. vs City of New York","start_date":"2020-07-15","disposition_date":"2021-06-29","payout_amount":65000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"027172/2020E","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo","summary":"On May 24, 2019, defendant P.O.s Wilfredo Benitez, Michael Sambrato, Anthony Perlmutter, John Doe, and John Roe approached plaintiffs Rosemarie Baskerville and Devonte Baskerville without warrant, probable cause or justification. Defendants unlawfully stopped, searched, assaulted, beat, and detained Plaintiffs in an aggressive manner. Defendants handcuffed and arrested plaintiffs and took them to a police station in the Bronx. At some point in defendants' custody, plaintiffs were strip-searched. Defendants falsely accused plaintiffs of having committed a crime and forwarded information to prosecutors that resulted in plaintiffs having criminal complaints issued against them. Plaintiffs were arraigned and remained incarcerated for over 24 hours. Plaintiffs were prosecuted on the basis of the defendants' false claims. All charges against plaintiffs were ultimately terminated.","documents":[{"url":"https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=kVTKJoVCxQrJ4gnj/Av84Q==","type":"complaint"}]},{"name":"Hydara, Mahamadou vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2020-07-08","disposition_date":"2022-03-28","payout_amount":12500,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"026472/2020E","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo","summary":"On January 11, 2020, plaintiff was at Marcy and Sheridan Aves, Bronx, NY, to get something to eat. Plaintiff was stopped, handcuffed and arrested by defendants Benitez and Does. Plaintiff did not engage in any unlawful conduct. Plaintiff did not possess marijuana nor act in a disorderly manner. After Plaintiff was arrested he was transported to the 44th precinct. At the 44th precinct plaintiff was placed in a cell with other male prisoners. Plaintiff was searched and nothing unlawful was recovered. After being held for several hours at the 44th precinct, Plaintiff was released and given two summons, charging him with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and Disorderly Conduct. Plaintiff appeared in Bronx County Criminal Court where both summonses were dismissed.","documents":[{"url":"https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=zmXjQGD3Bm1BrkugG34zUQ==","type":"complaint"}]},{"name":"Bah, Thierno vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2020-07-07","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"","docket":"026964/2020","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo","summary":"On April 26, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. plaintiff Thierno Bah was lawfully walking in front of 1310 Sheridan Avenue, Bronx, New York when he was aggressively approached by defendants, including officer Heckett, Benitez, Harris, Terrell, Avella and Faello. Defendants then physically grabbed the plaintiff’s body and limbs and proceeded to slam him face-first against the wall and handcuffed the plaintiff in an excessively tight fashion which caused pain and injury. After being handcuffed, Defendants struck the plaintiff again with closed fists, steel-toed boots and various hard objects and tased him multiple times. Plaintiff suffered physical pain and injuries, including lacerations, fractures, hematomas, contusions, internal bleeding and swelling to his face, nose, head, neck, stomach, left leg, and back. Defendants had no probable cause to stop, question, search, detain or arrest Plaintiff. Then Plaintiff was taken to the precinct where he was illegally strip-searched with cavity inspection. Defendants fabricated a false narrative, in which they claimed Plaintiff trespassed, resisted arrest and even assaulted NYPD officers, which is untrue. On November 1, 2019, all criminal charges against the plaintiff were dismissed. Defendants falsely arrested and initiated malicious prosecution against plaintiff because of their desires to retaliate against plaintiff for his prior lawsuits against defendants and to use his arrest for overtime compensation and to gain career favors and meet departmental quotas. Plaintiff was racially targeted for being an African American male. Defendants fabricated evidence by conferring with the owner of the store where plaintiff was actually arrested. The plaintiff suffered loss of his liberty, irreparable reputational harm, loss of earnings, physical injury and permanent emotional distress.","documents":[{"url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20240903200957/https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=w5zgEYXm6h_PLUS_i4mckQDeqLA==","type":"complaint"}]},{"name":"Fofana, Moussa vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2019-09-04","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"","docket":"030330/2019E","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo","summary":"On December 28, 2018, plaintiffs Moussa Fofana et al (6 others) were falsely stopped and arrested by defendants Officer Eula Harris (Shield No. 9247), defendant Officer Wilfredo Benitez (Shield 5619), and officers John Doe. As a result, they were maliciously prosecuted and suffered severe emotional distress. Additionally, defendant Officers have a history of discriminating against those of African descent (like the plaintiffs), and the City of New York's failure to stop this practice and negligent hiring and training constitutes a disregard for human life and the rights of private citizens.\n\n,","documents":[{"url":"https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=b9HJFE_PLUS_fiP9Gp4vMB0hBCg==","type":"complaint"}]},{"name":"Sumbundu, Bangaly vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2019-09-04","disposition_date":"2020-10-22","payout_amount":80000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"030331/2019E","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo","summary":"On or about November 15, 2017, police officers Eula Harris, Wilfredo Benitez, and John Doe falsely arrested -potentially based on race- Bangaly Sumbundu, Mohammadou Touray, and Amadou Diallo for trespassing. Sumbundu, Touray, and Diallo -collectively plaintiffs- were visiting a friend at 1310 Sheridian Ave. of Bronx when the officers stopped and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs were all at the above location properly and were not trespassing, but the officers still verbally abused, arrested, and maliciously prosecuted them. While being detained for multiple hours, the plaintiffs were harassed by others being detained, and the officers maliciously prosecuted the plaintiffs disregarding their constitutional rights and innocence. All charges against the plaintiffs were ultimately dismissed. The plaintiffs has as a consequence suffered from insomnia and fear of their life whenever they are near a police officer.","documents":[{"url":"https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=QYWJatXgbN_PLUS_eJbkqiNFiGQ==","type":"complaint"}]},{"name":"Touray, Saibo vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2019-01-30","disposition_date":"2020-01-13","payout_amount":35000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"021186/2019E","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo","summary":"On December 2, 2017, Mr. Saibo Touray was waiting outside a residence in the Bronx. Officers Harris and Benitez stopped Mr. Touray. After Mr. Touray asked why he was being arrested, he was thrown to the ground and injured in the process. He was transported to the 44th Precinct, booked, and arraigned on December 4, 2017. He was charged, made court appearances, and the matter was adjourned in contemplation of dismissal on October 5, 2018.","documents":[{"url":"https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=V988JqERqi/2xjdxbTXDTw==","type":"complaint"}]},{"name":"Grant, Olusegun, et al. vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2018-01-17","disposition_date":"2022-09-29","payout_amount":52500,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"036478/2017E","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo","summary":"On or about February 17, 2017, at approximately 4:00 P.M. in the vicinity of Marcy Place and Sheridan Avenue, Bronx, NY, Plaintiffs were walking towards the home of Muhammed Gumaneh (one of the plaintiffs) when they were stopped, handcuffed and arrested by Police Officer Wilfredo Benitez (Shield No. 15506 of the 44th Precinct) and other unidentified officers for no reason. Plaintiffs were then taken to the 44th precinct where each was subjected to a strip search which revealed nothing illegal. Plaintiffs were then brought to Bronx County Central Booking where they were subjected to harassment from other prisoners. On February 18, 2017, Plaintiffs were each arraigned in Bronx County Criminal Court and charged with Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree and related offenses. The case was ultimately dismissed upon application of the Bronx County District Attorney.","documents":[{"url":"https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=35dBGUkrQBNXAIdwEl96aQ==","type":"complaint"}]},{"name":"Roman, Jerome vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2017-05-24","disposition_date":"2020-03-30","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"Zero Disposition","docket":"17CV02697","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo","summary":"On July 13, 2012, Defendant Detective Terrell arrested Plaintiff Roman for resisting arrest. This built on a pattern of Detective Terrell harassing and arresting Plaintiff Roman without probable cause many times during 2012. In April 2014, Plaintiff Roman was arrested by Detective Terrell and other unknown officers for disorderly conduct. While in custody, Detective Terrell assaulted Plaintiff Roman. On July 20, 2014, Plaintiff Roman was falsely arrested by Defendant Officers Wooten and Benitez. The charges were eventually dropped. Plaintiff Roman was repeatedly falsely arrested by Defendants Detective Terrell and Officer Rodriguez and manhandled while in custody through 2016.","documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.472432/gov.uscourts.nysd.472432.32.0.pdf","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6125786/roman-v-city-of-new-york/"},{"name":"Pascal, Negust vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2016-11-09","disposition_date":"2017-12-07","payout_amount":30000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"303560/2016","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo"},{"name":"Santana, Kelvin vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2016-04-29","disposition_date":"2018-08-01","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"Order/Judgment (Verdict)","docket":"16CV03080","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo","summary":"On October 6, 2015, plaintiff and two friends were socializing at a park and not engaging in any unlawful or disruptive conduct.  P.O. Wilfredo Benitez and one other officer entered the park in their car, exited the car, and flashed their flashlights in the faces of plaintiff and his friends.  The officers falsely claimed that they had smelled marijuana as they were driving by the park.  They conducted pat down searches of plaintiff and his two friends and found no illegal drugs or other contraband.  The P.O.s instructed the three to remain seated on the bench while they searched the area for evidence of illegal drug use for about 30 minutes, and no evidence of illegal drug use was found.  The P.O.s asked for identification from plaintiff and his friends.  A second set of police officers arrived and placed plaintiff and his friends under arrest.  The officers falsely claimed that plaintiff and his friends were inside the park after closing hours, and P.O. Benitez falsely claimed that he found a ziplock bag containing a small amount of marijuana on one of his friends.  At the precinct, plaintiff and his friends were subjected to strip searches.  Plaintiff was in police custody for approximately 24 hours.  the DA's office declined to prosecute, and Plaintiff was not charged with any violations or crimes","documents":[{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.456607.1.0.pdf","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4356996/santana-v-city-of-new-york/"},{"name":"Flores Sr., Moses vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2015-10-20","disposition_date":"2016-11-18","payout_amount":40000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"15CV05845","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo","summary":"Plaintiff was with his sister when he was approached by defendant officer De La Rosa within a movie theater. The off-duty officer had instructed the plaintiff to \"tone it down\". The plaintiff, who has been found to be legally \"disabled due to a mental condition\" and is blind in one eye, left the movie theater voluntarily. Defendant Officer De la Rosa followed the plaintiff and activated the NYPD Emergency Service Unit. When plaintiff left the theater, he was met with fifteen officers. Defendant officers assaulted plaintiff. They arrested and handcuffed him and sent him to the 44th precinct. He was later hospitalized. Plaintiff was charged with Obstructing Governmental Administration, Resisting Arrest, Attempt to Commit a Crime, Menacing, Disorderly Conduct, and Harassment. Plaintiff pled guilty to Disorderly Conduct.","documents":[{"url":"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4921181-Flores-v-City-of-New-York-et-al","type":"complaint"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4523205/flores-sr-v-city-of-new-york/"},{"name":"Jordan, Charles vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2015-08-14","disposition_date":"2018-05-21","payout_amount":0,"disposition":"Zero Disposition","docket":"15CV06364","court":"U.S. District Court - Southern District NY","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo","summary":"On December 5, 2012, defendants forcibly entered into plaintiff's apartment. Defendants tackled and forced plaintiff to the ground and began to punch and kick him, causing bruising to plaintiff head and body. Defendants searched the apartment, and found medication belonging to his wife. Defendants confronted plaintiff with the medication and asked him why he was in possession of a controlled substance. Despite plaintiff pointing out that it belonged to his wife, defendants arrested plaintiff. Defendants subsequently lied to the DA's office to justify his arrest.","documents":[{"url":"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4923084-Jordan-v-City-of-New-York-et-al"},{"url":"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.446084.60.0.pdf","type":"complaint"},{"url":"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4923085-Jordan-v-City-of-New-York-et-al"}],"url":"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4355665/jordan-v-city-of-new-york/"},{"name":"Omarou, Halidou vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2014-11-21","disposition_date":"2017-05-16","payout_amount":25000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"025528/2014E","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo"},{"name":"Lhabik, Kazeem vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2014-05-13","disposition_date":"2015-03-31","payout_amount":30000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"022060/2014E","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo"},{"name":"Lora, Wilfred vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2014-02-21","disposition_date":"2015-03-10","payout_amount":32500,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"307285/2013","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo"},{"name":"Calderon, Waskal vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2013-06-20","disposition_date":"2014-04-22","payout_amount":40000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"302894/2013","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo "},{"name":"Sanchez, Damaris vs City of New York, et al.","start_date":"2013-03-04","disposition_date":"2017-04-05","payout_amount":40000,"disposition":"Settlement","docket":"301305/2013","court":"Supreme Court - Bronx","officer_name":"Benitez, Wilfredo "}],"image":"https://www.50-a.org/images/officer/X6DX-wilfredo-benitez.jpg","payroll":{"salary":"134819","regular":"119956","overtime":"52564","other":"25176","total":"197696"},"email":"wilfredo.benitez@nypd.org","news":[{"url":"https://theintercept.com/2023/09/25/nypd-misconduct-lawsuits-settlements/","title":"NYPD “Transparency” Site Leaves Out Misconduct Lawsuits Settled For Millions","source":"The Intercept","date":"2023-09-25"}],"id":"X6DX","url":"https://www.50-a.org/officer/X6DX"}