Named in 11 known lawsuits, $308,835 total settlements.
Villafane, Jessica Obo F.,d. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 19CV01379,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, March 15, 2019
Complaint
Description: On or about October 3, 2018 at approximately 6:00 a.m., an NYPD warrant squad including defendant Detective Paul Ortiz forcibly entered apartment 4F at 370 Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn where plaintiff was sleeping. Detective Ortiz found plaintiff, a 15-year-old high school student, sleeping under a blanket on the floor in a bedroom. Ortiz shouted at plaintiff to get up. When plaintiff did not immediately respond, Ortiz kicked plaintiff in his side, placed plaintiff in handcuffs, and detained him for approximately two hours. After the incident, plaintiff went to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a chest wall contusion and treated for pain.
Payne, Markisha, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 17CV00717,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, February 15, 2017, ended August 9, 2018
$25,000 Settlement
Complaint,
Amended Complaint
Description: Plaintiffs were located inside their home when a group of police officers came into the apartment with weapons drawn. Officers pointed the weapons at two young children, and searched the apartment. When Plaintiff Markish Payne asked to see a warrant, she was told to "shut the fuck up". Officers arrested Markisha and the two young children. When they were released at arraignment, they returned home to find that officers had urinated all over the walls and the floor of the bathroom. Furniture and photographs and other belongings had also been destroyed.
Dixon, John, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 16CV06271,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, November 23, 2016, ended January 10, 2018
$90,002 Settlement
Complaint
Description: The plaintiffs were asleep in their home when they woke to the defendant officers forcibly entering their home. The apartment was searched and the plaintiffs were handcuffed and taken to a nearby precinct. Nothing illegal was found in the apartment but the plaintiffs were still charged with possession of a controlled substance. The charges were later dismissed.
Johnson, Joan vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 16CV03295,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, June 27, 2016, ended May 10, 2017
$5,000 Settlement
Complaint,
First Amended Complaint
Description: Defendant Officers forcibly entered Plaintiff's home, searched her apartment, and arrested her. Plaintiff was driven around for hours, denied medical attention, and then brought to a local precinct where she was given a DAT for Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree and Use of drug paraphernalia in the 2nd Degree. The DA Declined to prosecute the charges.
Reynolds, Lisa vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 16CV02631,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, June 7, 2016, ended July 21, 2017
$3,500 Settlement
Complaint,
First Amended Complaint
Description: Defendant Officers physically forced their way into a bar/club, handcuffed and searched Plaintiff, took her to a precinct, and gave her a DAT for ß 220.03, which the DA declined to prosecute.
Gastaldi, Hugh vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 16CV00436,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, March 21, 2016, ended April 30, 2017
$5,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: Defendant Officers pulled Plaintiff over, falsely arrested Plaintiff, took him to the 75th Precinct, and issued him a DAT charging him with 220.03. Plaintiff's case was dismissed before his arraignment.
Thomas, Joy as Adm of The Estate of Thomas, Jonathan vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV07296,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, January 19, 2016, ended September 26, 2016
$4,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: Plaintiff was walking down the street when Defendant officers ordered him to stop, pushed him against a wall, and handcuffed him. Plaintiff was searched, arrested, brought to the 75th precinct, and charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, which was dismissed by a Grand Jury.
Gelzer, Dequan vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV06118,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, November 18, 2015, ended March 7, 2017
$22,000 Settlement
Complaint,
Original Complaint,
Amended Complaint,
Second Amended Complaint
Description: Defendant Officers knocked down the front door to an apartment where friends were celebrating a birthday, took Plaintiff to a backroom and strip searched him. Plaintiff was taken to the 75th Precinct and charged with 220.03, 220.50(2), 220.50(3), 221.15, and 221.05, which were ACD'd
Thomas, Joy as Adx of Thomas, Jonathan vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV01621,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, March 30, 2015, ended August 20, 2016
Zero Disposition
Complaint,
Judgment
Description: Plaintiff engaged in a conversation with a woman on the street and when he started walking away defendant officers approached him, searched him, and arrested him and the woman he was speaking to. Plaintiff was taken to the 75th Precinct, searched again, and charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, which was later dismissed by a Gran Jury.
James, Jermain, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV01161,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, March 24, 2015, ended October 10, 2017
$149,000 Settlement
Complaint,
Amended Complaint
Description: Defendant Officers entered Plaintiff' Carolyn's residence and used excessive force. Five plaintiffs were strip searched inside of the apartment and arrested for drug related charges.
Herbin, Reginald vs Blake, Andre, et al.
Case # 14CV03636,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, January 23, 2015, ended December 17, 2018
$5,333 Settlement
Complaint,
Amended Complaint
Description: On May 15, 2011, Plaintiff was sitting on an outdoor bench in Brooklyn, New York. PO Andre Blake approached with a flashlight and saw a cigar roll. Plaintiff was placed under arrest and charged with criminal possession of marijuana. Plaintiff was detained at Riker’s Island. He asked for a blanket from one of the corrections officers. The officer told plaintiff to get away from his desk. When Plaintiff asked why, the officer maced plaintiff in his eyes and then repeatedly slammed his head into the floor. Plaintiff was transferred to the medical department for his injuries.
(Note these factual allegations are only included in the original complaint, not the amended complaint.)