Named in 7 known lawsuits, $168,000 total settlements.
Smith, Wendy, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 507727/2019,
Supreme Court - Kings, July 2, 2019
Complaint
Description: On March 24, 2017, defendant PO William Schumaker, John Sikora and John and Jane Doe 1-10, entered the home of plaintiffs, at 731 Hegemon Avenue, Apartment 9 without a warrant. At the time the home was occupied by all the plaintiffs: the mother, two adult sons, two minor sons, the mother’s brother and a friend of the brother. The defendant officers woke the plaintiffs up, handcuffed them, forcefully removed them from their beds and placed them in the living room. One plaintiff, a minor, was pushed face first onto a couch while his arm was pulled violently behind his back. Other two plaintiffs, the other minor son and one elder sibling, were thrown on the ground and struck in the face and body several times by t...
Johnson, Winston vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 508963/2019,
Supreme Court - Kings, April 25, 2019, ended September 16, 2020
$60,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about June 16, 2018, Winston Johnson was at his home in Brooklyn, New York, when officers from the NYPD, including Officers Ramil Casimir, John Siroka, Daniel Gerardi, Mathew McCurry, and Detective Andre Ohara, entered his home to arrest his son based on an outstanding i-card from a previous incident. Johnson, who was not involved in that incident, was startled by the officers' arrival. Wearing only his boxers, Johnson answered the door and was immediately rushed by the officers, who used excessive force, hitting him about his head and body.
Johnson was then handcuffed, denied the opportunity to put on clothes, and taken to the 75th Precinct before being transported to Brookdale Hospital for treatment of...
Pugh, James vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 18CV07350,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, January 8, 2019, ended September 29, 2021
Zero Disposition
Complaint
Description: On December 30, 2017, Plaintiff James Pugh was attacked by Officer Ramil Casimir and another unnamed officer for an unknown reason while on the street. Plaintiff was kicked, kneed, and beaten with a retractable metal bar. The complaint does not specify which officer used the metal bar. Officer John Sikora and other unnamed officers witnessed the attack and failed to intervene. Plaintiff was seriously injured and requested medical attention, but was taken to the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn before an ambulance was called to take him to the hospital. Plaintiff was in the hospital for a week and had a full knee replacement. The complaint does not note any charges brought against Plaintiff.
Robinson, Courtney vs City of New York
Case # 510105/2018,
Supreme Court - Kings, May 18, 2018, ended July 19, 2019
$13,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On June 11, 2017, plaintiff was talking to friends when defendant police officers shoved plaintiff to the ground, slamming his face into the ground. They then proceeded to beat and kick plaintiff.
Fortner, Avery vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 503457/2018,
Supreme Court - Kings, March 16, 2018, ended May 13, 2020
$45,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On November 19, 2016, the plaintiff was a passenger in a livery vehicle with a friend. While at an intersection, defendant-NYPD officers, including defendant-Officer John Sikora (Shield No. 22498), stopped and approached the vehicle. Defendants falsely alleged a credit card embosser was in plain view within a passenger bag. Thereafter, the defendants forcibly detained, searched, and arrested the plaintiff; this arrest included the defendants placing purposefully excessively-tight handcuffs on the plaintiff. During plaintiff's arrest, defendants disparaged the plaintiff due to his race as a African American man. Defendants brought plaintiff into custody. Thereafter, the defendants provide false allegations to su...
Daly, Joel vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 18CV01050,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, February 22, 2018, ended January 8, 2019
$50,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: Defendant Officers banged on the Plaintiff's door and forcibly entered the apartment with guns drawn and seized the Plaintiff and continued to search the apartment. The plaintiff was taken to the precinct and then brought to Central Booking and later to Rikers Island when he was released on 6/25/2015. Defendant Officer falsely informed the Kings District Attorney's Office that the Plaintiff was in possession of a weapon. Charges were later dismissed.
Marshall, James vs Compitello, Michael, et al.
Case # 15CV00750,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, February 19, 2015, ended January 8, 2016
Zero Disposition
Complaint
Description: Defendants unlawfully entered Mr. Marshall's home without a warrant and violently jumped on Mr. Marshall, who was laying in his bed with his daughter. The Defendants then arrested Mr. Marshall and charged him with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and other related charges. After multiple court appearances, Mr. Marshall's case was dismissed and sealed.