Complaint #201508892,
September 1, 2014

Officer: Newman, Jacob
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 32
Allegation: Force: Nightstick as club (incl asp & baton)
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Charges)
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 25-29
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Male
Allegation: Force: Pepper spray
CCRB Conclusion: Victim Unidentified
Officer: Unknown Officer
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 30-34
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Officer(s) Unidentified
Officer: Floresfernandez, Jose
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 32
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to obtain medical treatment
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Officer: Newman, Jacob
Complainant: Hispanic Male, 32
Allegation: Force: Physical force
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Officer Complainant Allegation CCRB Conclusion
Newman, Jacob Hispanic Male, 32 Force: Nightstick as club (incl asp & baton) Substantiated (Charges)
Unknown Officer Hispanic Female, 25-29 Force: Physical force Exonerated
Unknown Officer Male Force: Pepper spray Victim Unidentified
Unknown Officer Hispanic Male, 30-34 Force: Physical force Officer(s) Unidentified
Floresfernandez, Jose Hispanic Male, 32 Abuse of Authority: Refusal to obtain medical treatment Unsubstantiated
Newman, Jacob Hispanic Male, 32 Force: Physical force Exonerated

Conclusion Meanings:

'Exonerated': or 'Within NYPD Guidelines' - The conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
'Officer(s) Unidentified': Unable to identify the officers who committed the alleged misconduct
'Substantiated': The misconduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.
'Unsubstantiated': or 'Unable to Determine' - The alleged conduct was investigated but could not determine both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.

Further details on conclusions.


Penalty

Newman, Jacob
Closed: Not guilty after trial-PC Approved, September 29, 2017
APU Not guilty

Summary

On September 1, 2014, at approximately 5:26 a.m., officers from the 46th Precinct arrived at El Divo Lounge, located at 217 East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx, and ordered everyone to leave. When [redacted] and his wife, [redacted] exited the lounge, [redacted] observed an unidentified individual lying face down on the ground in handcuffs. [redacted] believed the individual had been pepper sprayed because something in the air bothered his eyes (Allegation A). A crowd had formed in front of El Divo Lounge, and some people were recording the incident on their cell phones. [redacted] took out his cell phone and began recording.
Officers instructed the crowd of approximately six or seven individuals to back up. PO Newman approached [redacted] placed one hand on [redacted]'s chest, and forcefully pushed him (Allegation B). At the same time, PO Newman struck [redacted] with his baton on [redacted]'s left knee (Allegation C). PO Newman continued to push [redacted] who was still recording on his cell phone, and to strike [redacted] with the baton approximately four or five more times all over his body, including his knees, back, upper arms, torso, and head (within Allegation C).
Additional unidentified officers arrived and grabbed [redacted] by his left arm and legs. PO Newman continued to strike him with the baton (within Allegation C). [redacted] attempted to intervene by placing herself between [redacted] and PO Newman, and an unidentified officer pushed [redacted] back (Allegation D). Unidentified officers then threw [redacted] to the ground (Allegation E). [redacted] was arrested for resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration (Board Review 01). [redacted] was not arrested or summonsed.
[redacted] was transported to the 46th Precinct stationhouse by PO Ruben Cuesta and PO Jose Florez-Fernandez from that command. There, [redacted] informed PO Florez-Fernandez that he wanted to go to the hospital. PO Florez-Fernandez placed [redacted] inside a holding cell, and allegedly ignored [redacted]'s request... Read report for details.


Details

Incident: September 1, 2014
Received: October 19, 2015
Closed: August 29, 2016
Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Reason for contact: C/V requested investigation of crime
Location: Street/highway
In NYPD 46th Precinct Bronx
Outcome: Arrest - other violation/crime

Witness Officers: Ruben Cuesta, Elisha Duncan, Scott Monier, Moises Rodriguez, Jason Santana, Michael Simpson
Video evidence collected