Complaint #201910993,
December 21, 2019

Summary

On December 21, 2019, at approximately 7:30 p.m., [redacted] drove home after shopping in the Bronx at various locations with [redacted] in the front passenger and [redacted] in the rear passenger of his aunt's vehicle. At approximately 7:50 p.m., as he drove down Boston Road, [redacted] turned onto East Tremont Avenue without activating his turn signal. Police Officer Merita Hoxha and Sergeant Joseph Duerr, both of the 42nd Precinct, stopped the vehicle Kasaum [redacted] was driving at the intersection of East Tremont Avenue and Devoe Avenue (Allegations A and B: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). PO Hoxha then approached the driver's side, while Sgt. Duerr approached the front passenger side where [redacted] sat. While PO Hoxha spoke with [redacted] concerning the driver's license and registration, she told [redacted] that she allegedly smelled marijuana. She ordered the occupants to step outside of the vehicle, and they all complied. PO Hoxha then patted down [redacted] while Sgt. Duerr patted down [redacted] (Allegations C and D: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). PO Hoxha instructed [redacted] and [redacted] to stand at the trunk with Sgt. Duerr. PO Hoxha then instructed [redacted] to leave the vehicle and patted him down as well (Allegation E: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). While Sgt. Duerr stood with the [redacted] family at the rear of the vehicle, PO Hoxha searched the vehicle. When she finished searching the vehicle, the [redacted] family were instructed to return to their seats and did so. PO Hoxha then searched the trunk of the vehicle (Allegations F: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). When PO Hoxha finished her search of the vehicle, she returned and spoke with [redacted] telling him that she stopped him because he did not use his turn signal. She handed him a blank business card and let everyone go without issuing any summonses (Allegation G: Abuse of Authority, [redacted]). Read report for details.