Conclusion Meanings:
'Exonerated': or 'Within NYPD Guidelines' - The conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
'Unable to Determine': The alleged conduct was investigated but could not determine both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.
'Unfounded': Evidence suggests that the event or alleged conduct did not occur.
'Unsubstantiated': or 'Unable to Determine' - The alleged conduct was investigated but could not determine both that the conduct occurred and that it broke the rules.
'Within NYPD Guidelines': The conduct occurred but did not violate the NYPD's own rules, which often give officers significant discretion.
Further details on conclusions.
Named in 3 known lawsuits, $132,926 total settlements.
Spence, Janita vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 027592/2018E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, July 2, 2018, ended July 29, 2025
$85,426 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about August 5, 2016, plaintiff and her boyfriend, Walter Alston, were approached by defendant NYPD officers Acosta, and John/Jane Does I-IV with loaded firearms, outstretched limbs and object with which they physically struck and restrained plaintiff. Without warrant, probable cause or legal justification, plaintiff war charged with possession of firearms. This despite not having been in possession, constructive or actual, of a firearm which was recovered by the defendants from Mr. Alston's vehicle. Defendant was asked if the vehicle was hers, to which she replied that it was not. Mr. Alston volunteered that the car was his. Defendants repeatedly asked plaintiff for permission to search the vehicle...
Almestica, Juan vs City of New York
Case # 026226/2018E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, May 31, 2018, ended September 14, 2018
$25,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about May 4, 2017 Plaintiff was unlawfully touched, grabbed, handcuffed, seized, and arrested by POs Michael Jenkins, Justin Gelband, Kenia Acosta, Emmanuel Fernandez, John Doe, and John Roe with excessive force and without legal justification. Plaintiff was stopped due to a racially-motivated "stop and frisk" policy. POs falsely accused Plaintiff of committing a crime, arrested him, and transported him to the station where he was criminally processed. POs caused a malicious prosecution to be initiated against Plaintiff, whose life was therefore interfered with for an extended period of time until all charges were eventually terminated in Plaintiff's favor. As a result of this incident Plaintiff suffered ...
Vasquez, Eniel vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 021853/2018E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, February 15, 2018, ended January 31, 2019
$22,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about December 11, 2016, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Plaintiff Eniel Vasquez was lawfully in the vicinity of Jerome Avenue and East 167th Street in the Bronx. At this time, New York City Police Officers Michael Espenberg, Kenia Acosta, and other officers, including John Doe and John Roe, approached Vasquez without any probable cause or legal justification. The officers allegedly stopped, searched, grabbed, assaulted, battered, and detained Vasquez in an aggressive and excessive manner. He was subjected to a strip search while in custody, despite the absence of any legal reason to do so. Following this incident, Vasquez was arraigned and falsely charged with a crime. He remained incarcerated for over 24 h...