Named in 5 known lawsuits, $456,500 total settlements.
Robinson, Arnold vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 19CV02692,
U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, April 15, 2019, ended December 10, 2020
$187,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On February 1, 2017, defendant officers Rodriguez and Smith pulled over a car with plaintiff in the rear passenger seat. After complying with their orders to exit the car and submitting to an initial frisk, plaintiff fled the scene on foot and boarded a NYC MTA bus. Defendants Rodriguez and Smith pursued plaintiff and boarded the bus; After complying with orders to put his hands up and get on the floor, Rodriguez and Smith grabbed plaintiff's left arm and handcuffed plaintiff. After plaintiff was handcuffed, defendant Maldonado punched plaintiff multiple times in his face, mouth, and body while Rodriguez squeezed plaintiff's handcuffs and pulled his arms straight up. Defendant officers including Maldonado, Smit...
Lavayen, Alfredo, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 030584/2018E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, September 18, 2018
Complaint
Description: On June 25, 2017, at 8:30 P.M., New York City Police officers conducted arrests near 620 Manida Street, Bronx. Officer Gabrielle Rodriguez of the 41st Precinct participated. The officers approached Alfredo Lavayen, Bruce Ortiz, and Angel Rojas without explanation. They used force to seize, handcuff, and arrest them. Each individual was charged with possession of a gun and marijuana. Lavayen was detained for 12 days, and Ortiz and Rojas for six days. During detention, they underwent strip searches with multiple cavity inspections.
The officers, including Rodriguez, followed information from an investigation. This investigation led them to target Lavayen, Ortiz, and Rojas. The police actions lacked a valid arres...
Diaz, Michael, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 027899/2018E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, July 10, 2018, ended January 28, 2025
$44,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On October 6, 2016, at around 11:50 PM, Michael Diaz and Ashley Gilead were stopped by NYPD Officers Gabrielle Rodriguez and Mandeep Singh, along with several other officers, at the corner of Bruckner Boulevard and East 149th Street in the Bronx, New York. During the stop, officers detained them using tight handcuffs, causing physical pain, and proceeded with a search. Both Diaz and Gilead were taken into custody without an arrest warrant, detained for approximately 56 hours, and subjected to a strip search that included cavity inspections despite the absence of any evidence or suspicion that they were concealing contraband. The case moved through the criminal justice system until July 12, 2017, when the charge...
Gomez, Yancarlos, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 030752/2017E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, March 9, 2018, ended June 20, 2019
$150,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about September 29, 2017, Yancarlos Gomez and others were approached by Officer Smith and Officer Rodriguez during a routine street interaction. Officer Smith initiated a search, citing suspicion of concealed items without providing specific cause. As Officer Smith began the search, Officer Rodriguez increased physical contact by holding Gomez’s arms firmly, despite minimal resistance.
Officer Smith then applied forceful restraints on Gomez’s arms and shoulders, causing visible bruising and joint strain. During this, Officer Rodriguez reportedly shoved Gomez and others, causing them to stumble. Even after compliance, Officer Smith continued with aggressive restraint, pushing down on Gomez’s shoulders. Of...
Moyett, Wilfredo vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 031616/2017E,
Supreme Court - Bronx, December 6, 2017, ended August 29, 2018
$75,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On 6/25/2017, plaintiff Wilfredo Moyett was arrested without cause by NYPD officers and the victim of excessive force. He was taken to jail, booked, and the victim of the police officers' willful and wanton actions.
