Named in 10 known lawsuits, $172,001 total settlements.
Rivera, Angel vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 19CV06391,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, September 17, 2019, ended November 9, 2020
$32,501 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On April 11, 2018, early in the morning around 4:00a.m., Plaintiff and his family were sleeping in their home at 3182 Rochambeau Ave., #4L, Bronx, NY. Between twenty and thirty plainclothes NYPD members surprised Plaintiff by ringing his doorbell and entered his home. One man had markings which indicated he could have been working for or with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Plaintiff was place into handcuffs immediately upon officers entering his apartment. One individual pointed a gun at Plaintiff while other officers began asking for the location of drugs. Plaintiff was taken out to the hallway of his building in only his underwear for around 20 minutes while the members of the NYPD searched and r...
Guillen, Nefertiti vs City of New York
Case # 152642/2018,
Supreme Court - New York, May 15, 2018, ended December 17, 2019
$40,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On January 4, 2017, at approximately 4:00 a.m., Plaintiff was lawfully present near 123 Vermilyea Avenue in New York City.
NYPD officers, including Detectives Leandro Castro, Raymond Abreu, and others JOHN DOE, JOHN ROE, approached Plaintiff, and based on fraud, perjury and misrepresentations, and summarily stopped, searched, grabbed, assaulted, battered, and detained him in an aggressive and excessive manner. Plaintiff was tightly handcuffed and subjected to a strip search.
Plaintiff was held in custody for over 24 hours, forced to attend multiple court appearances, and endured a prolonged legal process. All charges against Plaintiff were terminated favorably.
Plaintiff was caused to sustain serious, severe...
Salerno, Ostilio Anthony vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 151147/2018,
Supreme Court - New York, February 21, 2018
Complaint
Description: On February 3, 2016, in the vicinity of 5008 Broadway, plaintiff was stopped and searched by defendant NYPD Detectives Castro, Daliz and Jane Doe, absent an arrest warrant or probably cause, who summarily grabbed him and began to frisk him, finding one zip-lock bag of marijuana on after allegedly having purchased same from the marijuana, apparently from an undercover police operative . Finding his car keys on his person, the Detectives pushed the electronic door opener which allowed them to ascertain the location of his car. Plaintiff was released and walked to his car, which the defendants then illegally searched, allegedly finding 27 glassines of heroine and $453 in US currency. Plaintiff was subjected to ...
Florentino, Francisco vs Castro, Leandro, et al.
Case # 159929/2015,
Supreme Court - New York, September 29, 2015, ended August 14, 2018
Administrative Closing
Complaint
Description: On or about July 8, 2014 Des. Leandro Castro acting on direction of Det. Anthony Galasso approached, searched, and arrested Plaintiff for allegedly selling drugs to an undercover detective, even though it was more likely he was arrested because he was a male Hispanic wearing a red shirt. POs, including Dets. Leandro Castro, Anthony Galasso , Edward Sinclair, Eugene Popovici, and Sgt. Dominick Disiervi, caused a malicious prosecution to be commenced against Plaintiff. Plaintiff could not afford bail and spent approximately 383 days in unlawful custody. Plaintiff was kept in highly unsanitary conditions with poor food and was assaulting, including stabbed, by fellow inmates during his time at Riker's. Plaintiff w...
Adames-Abreu, Elizabeth, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV01838,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, April 6, 2015, ended May 20, 2016
$17,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On March 13, 2014, defendant officers had detained and arrested plaintiff and her elderly father inside of their home that they shared. Officers had made physical contact with the plaintiff as well as Julian Adames, the plaintiff's father, which caused them to sustain bodily injuries. Officers alleged that plaintiff unlawfully possessed and/or sold controlled substances on various dates prior to March 13, 2014 within her home. Defendant Castro falsely alleged he had searched plaintiff's bedroom and recovered crystals and powdered methylene, gelatin capsules, bags used to hold the methylene, and an electronic scale with residue. On May 22, 2014 the Grand Jury voted a no true bill and effectively dismissed the cr...
Vernstrom, Kai, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 161537/2014,
Supreme Court - New York, March 12, 2015, ended June 23, 2015
$20,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about August 31, 2013 Plaintiffs were sitting on the ground listening to music when Det. Leandro Castro and Det. Larry Maraj approached with a bag containing what POs described as a controlled substance. POs told Plaintiffs the bag belonged to them even though at no time was it in their possession and arrested them even though they never possessed any item of an illegal nature. Plaintiffs were transported to a precinct, searched with no contraband found, and held for several hours before their release. On November 26, 2013 the charges against Plaintiffs were dismissed. Plaintiffs have been unable to sleep, compelled to miss days from work, and sustained other damage to their persons as a result of this in...
Rodriguez, Joaquin vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV05785,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, August 23, 2013, ended March 14, 2014
$9,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On June 14, 2012 Plaintiff was walking in front of 597 academy Street in New York. Defendants Castro and Carrasquillo approached Plaintiff and searched him without probable cause. Despite finding any evidence, Plaintiff was arrested and placed in tight handcuffs. Plaintiff waited for an hour handcuffed outside without being told the reason and was then taken to the 34th Precinct where he was held for several more hours. Plaintiff was then charged with possession of marijuana due to the false complaint of Defendants Castro and Carrasquillo. Factual allegations by Defendant were materially false.
Plaintiff was deprived of his liberty, suffered a loss of quality and/or enjoyment of life, economic injury, physic...
Wright, Thomas vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 152774/2013,
Supreme Court - New York, June 4, 2013, ended December 17, 2014
$15,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On March 3, 2011, plaintiff exited his apartment building at 149 W. 142st St, NY, NY, to get change for a $20 bill at a bodega down the street. Plaintiff saw his friend on his way to the bodega and asked the friend if he had change for the $20. The friend handed change to Plaintiff in exchange for the bill. As plaintiff walked back to his apartment building, three defendants jumped out of an unmarked vehicle and approached Plaintiff. Defendant Maldonado approached Plaintiff, ordered him up against a wall and his hands behind his back. Plaintiff answered he did not have any weapons on him, and complied with Maldonado's orders. Maldonado patted Plaintiff over his clothing, touching all areas of his body, then ask...
Rodriguez, Julio vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 13CV01276,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, March 13, 2013, ended November 1, 2013
$15,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On June 14, 2012, 12 NYPD officers including Officers James South and Leandro Castro loudly approached Plaintiff with guns drawn. Plaintiff was arrested without probable cause. Officer South falsely informed Officer Castro that he observed Plaintiff participate in a drug sale. Officer Castro knew the information was false but still certified a criminal complaint containing that information.
Tull, Christopher vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 157461/2012,
Supreme Court - New York, November 7, 2012, ended April 12, 2013
$22,000 Settlement