Named in 8 known lawsuits, $1,025,250 total settlements.
Williams, Sheray 'david' A/k/a Williams Melvin vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 164274/2025,
Supreme Court - New York, November 6, 2025
Thomas, Edward vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 23CV05718,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, July 13, 2023, ended March 5, 2024
$45,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On January 3, 2019, POs arrested Plaintiff in the presence of his 6-year-old daughter at a shelter in the Bronx, with charging serious crimes: 1) attempted assault in the 1st degree, 2) assault in the 2nd degree, and 3) criminal possession of a weapon in the 4th degree, based on the accident occurred on November 18, 2018. On November 18, 2018, the victim was stabbed outside a bodega. On November 18, 2018, Plaintiff was neither the individual who stabbed the victim nor involved in any manner. Due to PO’s false accusation, Plaintiff was forced to be incarcerated for over two weeks until Plaintiff could post the bail. As a result, PO’s testimony against Plaintiff was proved false, fabricated, intentionally drafted...
Desoto, Jesus Sr., et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 16CV06829,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, September 22, 2016, ended February 16, 2018
$30,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: Plaintiffs were leaving a club when a fight broke out which they weren't involved in. Defendant Officers arrived and began pepper spraying everyone. When one Plaintiff protested, he was put in a chokehold , handcuffed, and assaulted. Officers then assaulted and arrested Plaintiff Sr.. Both Plaintiffs were charged with Assault in the Second Degree, OGA, and Resisting Arrest, which were later dismissed.
Soto, Luis vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 16CV05927,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, September 21, 2016, ended June 22, 2018
$120,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: The plaintiff was enjoying a barbecue with his friends when the defendant officers in plain clothes charged at him on the corner of the street, tackled the plaintiff, assaulted him, continued to beat him, handcuffed him, and transported him to the hospital for his injuries followed by the local precinct. The defendant officers claimed they saw the plaintiff sell narcotics although they didn't arrest the "buyer" and they searched and found nothing on the plaintiff. The plaintiff was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. The charges were later dismissed.
Gomez, Rafael, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 16CV02377,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, April 5, 2016, ended February 3, 2017
$37,500 Settlement
Amended Complaint,
Complaint
Description: Plaintiffs car window had been broken and after they approached multiple officers to make a report, Defendant Officers unlawfully searched them, illegally assaulted them, and arrested them. Plaintiffs were brought to the 34th Precinct and charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and harassment, which were later dismissed.
Rodriguez, Carlos vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 16CV00096,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, January 14, 2016, ended June 7, 2016
$5,250 Settlement
Complaint
Description: Plaintiff went up to his friends apartment to check if he wanted to join him and his friends at the gym. As Plaintiff was going down the steps to leave, Defendant Officers pushed him against a wall, searched him, and asked for ID. Plaintiff explained it was in the car waiting outside but officers arrested him, took him to the 34th Precinct, and charged him with Trespass and Criminal Trespass in the 2nd and 3rd Degree, which were dismissed at arraignment.
Pepic, Selma vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 157448/2015,
Supreme Court - New York, August 4, 2015, ended July 17, 2017
$37,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On June 12, 2014 at approximately 2:30 a.m. Plaintiff was approached by PO Lawrence Thomas and several other officers. Plaintiff was cooperative and non-violent. Regardless, POs assaulted her by tugging open the front of her pants and peered down into her undergarment and private area with a flashlight in view of several pedestrians. POs could have searched Plaintiff in a nearby police vehicle or at the precinct but they did not do so. Plaintiff was falsely arrested and maliciously charged with crimes. Plaintiff sustained injuries and damages as a result of this incident.
Caminero, Francisco vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 155570/2015,
Supreme Court - New York, June 18, 2015, ended February 7, 2018
$750,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about August 10, 2014 PO Lawrence Thomas and other unnamed officers approached Plaintiff, struck him with fists and batons, and slammed him to the ground without legal justification. PO Thomas then falsely accused Plaintiff of possessing a controlled substance. Plaintiff remained in unlawful custody until on or about August 11, 2014 and all charges against Plaintiff were dismissed on February 20, 2015. Plaintiff suffered deprivation of liberty, injuries to the head, neck, back, and legs, emotional distress, and humiliation as a result of this incident.