Leandro M. Castro

Badge #2345, Hispanic Male
Former Detective Grade 2 at Organized Crime Investigation Division
Service started July 2005, ended July 2022, Tax #938195

Substantiated Allegations:
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to show search warrant

Lawsuit settlements:
$32,501   Rivera, Angel vs City of New York, et al., 2019 SDNY SDNY 19CV06391
$40,000   Guillen, Nefertiti vs City of New York, 2018 NYCSC NYCSC 152642/2018
$17,500   Adames-Abreu, Elizabeth, et al. vs City of New York, et al., 2015 SDNY SDNY 15CV01838
$20,000   Vernstrom, Kai, et al. vs City of New York, et al., 2015 NYCSC NYCSC 161537/2014
$9,500   Rodriguez, Joaquin vs City of New York, et al., 2013 SDNY SDNY 13CV05785
$15,000   Wright, Thomas vs City of New York, et al., 2013 NYCSC NYCSC 152774/2013
$15,500   Rodriguez, Julio vs City of New York, et al., 2013 SDNY SDNY 13CV01276
View Details

Complaints

5 Complaints
9 Allegations
1 Substantiated
1 Substantiated (Instructions)
2 Exonerated
6 Unsubstantiated

Complaint #201403177, March 2014
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to show search warrant
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 32
CCRB Conclusion: Substantiated (Instructions)
Allegation: Discourtesy: Word
Complainant: Hispanic Female, 32
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Penalty: Command Level Instructions
additional details

Complaint #201103500, March 2011
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Stop
Complainant: Black Male, 47
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Complainant: Black Male, 47
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #201102326, February 2011
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Search (of person)
Complainant: Black Male, 46
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number
Complainant: Black Male, 46
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #200615226, September 2006
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search
Complainant: Black Male, 40
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
Allegation: Force: Gun Pointed
Complainant: Black Male, 40
CCRB Conclusion: Exonerated
additional details

Complaint #200605410, April 2006
Allegation: Abuse of Authority: Frisk
Complainant: Black Male, 18
CCRB Conclusion: Unsubstantiated
additional details

Complaint #201403177, March 2014
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to show search warrant Hispanic Female, 32 Substantiated (Instructions)
Discourtesy: Word Hispanic Female, 32 Unsubstantiated
Penalty: Command Level Instructions
additional details
Complaint #201103500, March 2011
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Stop Black Male, 47 Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Frisk Black Male, 47 Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #201102326, February 2011
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Search (of person) Black Male, 46 Unsubstantiated
Abuse of Authority: Refusal to provide name/shield number Black Male, 46 Unsubstantiated
additional details
Complaint #200615226, September 2006
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Vehicle search Black Male, 40 Exonerated
Force: Gun Pointed Black Male, 40 Exonerated
additional details
Complaint #200605410, April 2006
Allegation Complainant CCRB Conclusion
Abuse of Authority: Frisk Black Male, 18 Unsubstantiated
additional details

Conclusion Meanings:

'Exonerated': or 'Within NYPD Guidelines' - the alleged conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
'Substantiated': The alleged conduct occurred and it violated the rules. The NYPD has discretion over what, if any, discipline is imposed.
'Unsubstantiated': or 'Unable to Determine' - CCRB has fully investigated but could not affirmatively conclude both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.

Further details on conclusion definitions.


Lawsuits

Named in 9 known lawsuits, $150,001 total settlements.

Rivera, Angel vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 19CV06391, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, September 17, 2019, ended November 9, 2020
$32,501 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On April 11, 2018, early in the morning around 4:00a.m., Plaintiff and his family were sleeping in their home at 3182 Rochambeau Ave., #4L, Bronx, NY. Between twenty and thirty plainclothes NYPD members surprised Plaintiff by ringing his doorbell and entered his home. One man had markings which indicated he could have been working for or with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Plaintiff was place into handcuffs immediately upon officers entering his apartment. One individual pointed a gun at Plaintiff while other officers began asking for the location of drugs. Plaintiff was taken out to the hallway of his building in only his underwear for around 20 minutes while the members of the NYPD searched and r...

Guillen, Nefertiti vs City of New York
Case # 152642/2018, Supreme Court - New York, May 15, 2018, ended December 17, 2019
$40,000 Settlement

Salerno, Ostilio Anthony vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 151147/2018, Supreme Court - New York, February 21, 2018

Florentino, Francisco vs Castro, Leandro, et al.
Case # 159929/2015, Supreme Court - New York, September 29, 2015, ended August 14, 2018
Administrative Closing

Adames-Abreu, Elizabeth, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV01838, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, April 6, 2015, ended May 20, 2016
$17,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On March 13, 2014, defendant officers had detained and arrested plaintiff and her elderly father inside of their home that they shared. Officers had made physical contact with the plaintiff as well as Julian Adames, the plaintiff's father, which caused them to sustain bodily injuries. Officers alleged that plaintiff unlawfully possessed and/or sold controlled substances on various dates prior to March 13, 2014 within her home. Defendant Castro falsely alleged he had searched plaintiff's bedroom and recovered crystals and powdered methylene, gelatin capsules, bags used to hold the methylene, and an electronic scale with residue. On May 22, 2014 the Grand Jury voted a no true bill and effectively dismissed the cr...

Vernstrom, Kai, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 161537/2014, Supreme Court - New York, March 12, 2015, ended June 23, 2015
$20,000 Settlement

Rodriguez, Joaquin vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV05785, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, August 23, 2013, ended March 14, 2014
$9,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On June 14, 2012 Plaintiff was walking in front of 597 academy Street in New York. Defendants Castro and Carrasquillo approached Plaintiff and searched him without probable cause. Despite finding any evidence, Plaintiff was arrested and placed in tight handcuffs. Plaintiff waited for an hour handcuffed outside without being told the reason and was then taken to the 34th Precinct where he was held for several more hours. Plaintiff was then charged with possession of marijuana due to the false complaint of Defendants Castro and Carrasquillo. Factual allegations by Defendant were materially false. Plaintiff was deprived of his liberty, suffered a loss of quality and/or enjoyment of life, economic injury, physic...

Wright, Thomas vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 152774/2013, Supreme Court - New York, June 4, 2013, ended December 17, 2014
$15,000 Settlement

Rodriguez, Julio vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV01276, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, March 13, 2013, ended November 1, 2013
$15,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On June 14, 2012, 12 NYPD officers including Officers James South and Leandro Castro loudly approached Plaintiff with guns drawn. Plaintiff was arrested without probable cause. Officer South falsely informed Officer Castro that he observed Plaintiff participate in a drug sale. Officer Castro knew the information was false but still certified a criminal complaint containing that information.