Complaint #202003435,
April 8, 2020

Summary

On April 8, 2020, at approximately 3:00 P.M., in the vicinity of Rockaway Boulevard and 113th Street in Queens, PO Michael Fortunato of the 106th Precinct, who was working with PO Justin Steigerwald and PO James Perrino of the same command, pulled over the vehicle that [redacted] was driving, and in which [redacted] the vehicle's owner, was a passenger, for an alleged New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law infraction (Allegation A, Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). Upon approaching the vehicle, PO Fortunato stated that he smelled marijuana and asked [redacted] to step out of the vehicle. While standing on the driver's side of the vehicle, PO Fortunato patted [redacted] down (Allegation B, Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). At the same time, PO Steigerwald allegedly also patted [redacted] down (Allegation C, Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). PO Fortunato then told [redacted] to move to the back of the vehicle, where PO Steigerwald patted him down again (Allegation D, Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). PO Fortunato also allegedly patted [redacted] down again at the back of the vehicle (Allegation E, Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). PO Perrino then told [redacted] to step out of the vehicle and allegedly patted her down (Allegation F, Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). PO Fortunato then searched the vehicle (Allegation G, Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). PO Steigerwald and PO Perrino also allegedly searched the vehicle (Allegations H and I, Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). During the search, PO Fortunato allegedly ripped the fabric on a seat in the vehicle and damaged a compartment in the trunk (Allegation J, Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). PO Steigerwald then allegedly threatened to arrest [redacted] (Allegation K, Abuse of Authority: [redacted]). During the interaction, PO Fortunato, PO Steigerwald, and PO Perrino failed to provide [redacted] and [redacted] with business cards (Allegations L, M, N, and O, Abuse of Authority: [redacted] and Allegations P and Q, Abuse of Authority: [redacted]).
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