Named in 6 known lawsuits, $116,500 total settlements.
Almonte Espinal, Erick et Al vs O'connor, John Doe et al.
Case # 25CV05089,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, July 17, 2025
Complaint
Arias, Martha vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 033762/2019E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, November 22, 2019, ended May 26, 2022
$20,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On January 23, 2019, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Martha Arias was lawfully present near 1459 Wythe Place in the Bronx when she was approached by NYPD Detective Nelson Pena, Officer Ferdi Memedoski, and other unidentified officers. Arias was stopped, searched, and arrested without probable cause, during which the officers allegedly used excessive force, including handcuffing her. Arias was subsequently taken into custody, subjected to a strip search, and falsely charged with a crime. She remained detained for over 24 hours and was required to make multiple court appearances until the charges were dismissed. As a result of the wrongful arrest and the excessive force used, Arias claims to have suffered both physic...
Montanez, Jennifer, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 024000/2019E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, April 5, 2019, ended August 14, 2020
$47,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On April 6, 2018, Plaintiff Howard was waiting for a haircut in a Bronx barbershop, along with his two minor children, when he stepped outside to smoke a cigarette and briefly spoke with plaintiff Montanez for a few minutes. Defendant NYPD detectives Nelson Pena and Bahir Mustafa, entered the barbershop and unlawfully arrested and handcuffed plaintiff extremely tightly, causing substantial injury to his wrists and hands. Defendants Pena and Mustafa eventually took plaintiff Howard to the 48th precinct, after driving him in an NYPD van for over two hours. Plaintiff Montanez was later confronted on the street by defendants Pena and Mustafa, who arrested, handcuffed and searched her without a valid warrant. Plaint...
Morante, Edwin vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 030445/2018E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, September 21, 2018, ended July 16, 2019
$30,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On July 20, 2017, defendant POs, including defendant PO Pena, arrested plaintiff without probable cause and falsely accused him of criminal sale of marijuana and related charges, knowing that these allegations were untrue. Plaintiff was held in custody until about July 21, 2017. The charges against plaintiff were later dismissed.
Jalloh, Abdulai vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 025320/2018,
Supreme Court - Bronx, May 18, 2018, ended February 5, 2019
$17,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about July 22, 2017 at approximately 12:00 p.m. Plaintiff was lawfully on the second floor of 1715 Watson Avenue when PO Nelson Pena approached and arrested Plaintiff. PO Pena drove Plaintiff around in a NYPD van for nearly 6 hours without telling Plaintiff what he was being charged with. PO Pena eventually took Plaintiff to the 52nd Precinct where he was held for several hours until Plaintiff was taken to Central Booking. Plaintiff was ultimately released the next day on July 23, 2017 around 8:00 p.m. after being held for approximately 32 hours. Plaintiff was not presented before a judge and was never given any charges. As a result of PO Pena's actions Plaintiff was subject to indignities, humiliation, a...
Tei, Fred vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV05609,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, October 16, 2013, ended April 3, 2014
$1,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On March 31, 2011, Plaintiff, a nursing attendant at Einstein Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, was on shift when defendants Fischer and McGee arrested and removed him from the building. Plaintiff was charged with unlawful possession of a vehicle defendants had personal knowledge he rightfully owned. Prior to arrest, plaintiff received a phone call from his daughter and she told him, Fischer and McGee stated they saw plaintiff's vehicle parked outside his residence on Morris Avenue and wanted to take possession of the vehicle. Plaintiff instructed his daughter to give defendants the keys to the vehicle. Defendants took possession of the vehicle and went to plaintiff's place of work to execute his arrest on sev...