Named in 6 known lawsuits, $211,500 total settlements.
Dixon, Kemar vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 513138/2020,
Supreme Court - Kings
$16,500 Settlement
Benjamin, Rovert vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 528540/2023,
Supreme Court - Kings, October 5, 2023
Complaint
Description: On October 18, 2020, at approximately 1:00 a.m, in the vicinity of 316 Watkins Street, County of Kings, New York, Defendants JAMES MCSHERRY, BRETT WOODARD and others tackled plaintiff from behind, slammed Plaintiff’s head into the concrete unlawfully arrested and handcuffed him without legal justification or probable cause. Plaintiff tried to explain to the defendant officers that he was leaving a birthday party when he heard a shooting and that he and the others were running to safety. The defendants had no probable cause or reasonable suspicion that the plaintiff was engaged in an illegal activity. The search yielded no evidence of any guns, drugs or contraband. Despite the absence of any evidence of wrongdoi...
Adams, Derrick, et al. vs City of New York et al.
Case # 521291/2020,
Supreme Court - Kings, November 6, 2020, ended October 21, 2021
$70,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about September 14, 2019 at or around 1:00 a.m., plaintiffs were lawfully in the vicinity of Rockaway and Livonia Avenues, Brooklyn, New York, when several unidentified NYPD officers, including defendant Officers Brett Woodard, George L. Pason, Vincent Dandraia, and other unnamed officers, approached plaintiffs. The officers falsely claimed that they observed plaintiffs engage in unlawful behavior before they searched plaintiffs, despite a lack of reasonable suspicion or any other legal justification. Despite the search not producing any contraband, the officers placed plaintiffs into handcuffs and under arrest. While placing plaintiffs under arrest, the officers used excessive force, assaulted and batter...
Mercado, Louie M. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 512683/2020,
Supreme Court - Kings, August 6, 2020
Complaint
Description: On August 24, 2019, the plaintiff, Louie M. Mercado, was lawfully present at 429 Stone Avenue in Kings County, New York, when he was allegedly assaulted and battered by Police Officer Bert Woodard and other unidentified police officers. The alleged assault involved Mercado being grabbed, beaten, and forcefully handcuffed before being taken into custody at the 73rd Precinct. The complaint claims the assault was intentional and performed without probable cause, not resulting from a lawful arrest. As a result, Mercado suffered physical injuries, mental distress, and psychological trauma. He is seeking damages exceeding the jurisdictional limits of lower courts.
Scott, Vanessa et al. vs Po Woodard, Brett, et al.
Case # 527214/2019,
Supreme Court - Kings, June 17, 2020, ended March 25, 2024
$50,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about April 3rd, 2019, Plaintiff was lawfully present in their apartment when PO Brett Woodard and PO "John Doe" broke down the door to the apartment. PO's had their guns drawn, frightening all four inhabitants of the apartment, including a minor. Plaintiff was unclothed in the bathroom, having just taken a shower. PO Woodard and PO "John Doe" handcuffed all four occupants, including Plaintiffs. PO's refused to allow Plaintiff, who was naked, to put on any of her clothes for several minutes, exposing her naked body to all present. Plaintiff repeatedly asked why she was being arrested but received no answer.
PO's then searched the apartment but the search failed to uncover any contraband or evidence of an...
Blocker, Michael vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 19CV06950,
U.S. District Court - Eastern District NY, December 17, 2019, ended June 16, 2021
$75,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On November 1, 2019, officers in an unmarked car yelled at Mr. Blocker as he was walking down the street, at which point, he ran. Officers Twohig, Scribner, Hui, and Woodard failed to inform Mr. Blocker of their identity. As Mr. Blocker was crossing the street, he was struck by the unmarked vehicle, and continued running. He was then struck by a taser and arrested with handcuffs applied too tightly. He then began to bleed but was not immediately brought to a hospital. Hours later, Mr. Blocker was brought to the hospital where he remained in handcuffs and shackles. At the precinct, Mr. Blocker was informed he was arrested because he was parked in front of a school where he tossed a gun, which was a false statem...