Wilfredo Benitez

Lawsuits

Named in 21 known lawsuits, $535,000 total settlements.

Robinson, Christian vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 800122/2025E, Supreme Court - Bronx, January 3, 2025, ended February 6, 2026
$27,500 Settlement

Marte, Ricky Garcia vs The City of Ny, et al.
Case # 810762/2024E, Supreme Court - Bronx, July 8, 2024
Complaint
Description: Plaintiff operated and owned a car wash business, licensed in the City of New York, Bronx County. On October 11, 2023, December 23, 2023 and January 12, 2024, where Defendant officers, POLICE DEPARTMENT DETECTIVE WILFREDO BENITEZ, POLICE OFFICER RIEGUY FERNANDEZ, and unnamed police officers of the 44th Police Precinct harassed, intimidated, and improperly detained Plaintiff. Defendant Detective Benitez was in charge of this police presence and directed his fellow officers and defendants to violate Plaintiffs rights. Detective Benitez threatened Plaintiff and expressed that he would return and exact punishment if Plaintiff didn't cease doing business. Defendants returned to Plaintiff's business, handcuffed ...

Sidibeh, Mahamadou, et al. vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 803614/2022E, Supreme Court - Bronx, March 9, 2022, ended February 16, 2024
$25,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On June 5, 2020, Mahamadou Sidibeh, Muhammed Gumaneh and Usman Haruna (Plaintiffs) were illegally stopped, seized and searched, battered and assaulted, detained, and arrested, by Kevin Ramirez, Jose Mercedes, Jorge Flores, Scott Smith, Daniel Baca, Wilfredo Benitez, and John or Jane Does 1-10 (Defendants). Plaintiff Sidibeh was lawfully present on the sidewalk and pulled out his phone to lawfully record the conduct of the Defendants, and in response, the Defendants illegally seized and forcefully took Plaintiff Sidibeh's phone from his possession without his consent or asking for his consent. He was then illegally stopped and seized by the defendants. He was accused of a criminal offense and his arms were viole...

Hough, Calife vs City of Ny, et al.
Case # 801918/2022E, Supreme Court - Bronx, February 8, 2022
Complaint
Description: On June 5, 2020, plaintiff was stopped, searched, seized, arrested and detained pursuant to a warrant caused to be issued a day before by defendants BELLO, HENNESSY, MAHER and BENITEZ. Plaintiff was then caused to be forcibly removed by them to a precinct, where he was criminally processed, fingerprinted, photographed, strip-searched with an attendant cavity inspection and retina scanned. Defendants BELLO, HENNESSY, MAHER and BENITEZ stopped plaintiff by grabbing him by their bodies and limbs and physically restraining plaintiff while violently contorting his arms behind his back before finally affixing metal handcuffs to Plaintiff’s wrists in an excessively tight fashion. Defendants then strip-searched plai...

Baskerville, Rosemarie, et al. vs City of New York
Case # 027172/2020E, Supreme Court - Bronx, July 15, 2020, ended June 29, 2021
$65,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On May 24, 2019, defendant P.O.s Wilfredo Benitez, Michael Sambrato, Anthony Perlmutter, John Doe, and John Roe approached plaintiffs Rosemarie Baskerville and Devonte Baskerville without warrant, probable cause or justification. Defendants unlawfully stopped, searched, assaulted, beat, and detained Plaintiffs in an aggressive manner. Defendants handcuffed and arrested plaintiffs and took them to a police station in the Bronx. At some point in defendants' custody, plaintiffs were strip-searched. Defendants falsely accused plaintiffs of having committed a crime and forwarded information to prosecutors that resulted in plaintiffs having criminal complaints issued against them. Plaintiffs were arraigned and remain...

Hydara, Mahamadou vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 026472/2020E, Supreme Court - Bronx, July 8, 2020, ended March 28, 2022
$12,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On January 11, 2020, plaintiff was at Marcy and Sheridan Aves, Bronx, NY, to get something to eat. Plaintiff was stopped, handcuffed and arrested by defendants Benitez and Does. Plaintiff did not engage in any unlawful conduct. Plaintiff did not possess marijuana nor act in a disorderly manner. After Plaintiff was arrested he was transported to the 44th precinct. At the 44th precinct plaintiff was placed in a cell with other male prisoners. Plaintiff was searched and nothing unlawful was recovered. After being held for several hours at the 44th precinct, Plaintiff was released and given two summons, charging him with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and Disorderly Conduct. Plaintiff appeared in Bronx County Cri...

Bah, Thierno vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 026964/2020, Supreme Court - Bronx, July 7, 2020
Complaint
Description: On April 26, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. plaintiff Thierno Bah was lawfully walking in front of 1310 Sheridan Avenue, Bronx, New York when he was aggressively approached by defendants, including officer Heckett, Benitez, Harris, Terrell, Avella and Faello. Defendants then physically grabbed the plaintiff’s body and limbs and proceeded to slam him face-first against the wall and handcuffed the plaintiff in an excessively tight fashion which caused pain and injury. After being handcuffed, Defendants struck the plaintiff again with closed fists, steel-toed boots and various hard objects and tased him multiple times. Plaintiff suffered physical pain and injuries, including lacerations, fractures, hematomas, contusions, inte...

Fofana, Moussa vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 030330/2019E, Supreme Court - Bronx, September 4, 2019
Complaint
Description: On December 28, 2018, plaintiffs Moussa Fofana et al (6 others) were falsely stopped and arrested by defendants Officer Eula Harris (Shield No. 9247), defendant Officer Wilfredo Benitez (Shield 5619), and officers John Doe. As a result, they were maliciously prosecuted and suffered severe emotional distress. Additionally, defendant Officers have a history of discriminating against those of African descent (like the plaintiffs), and the City of New York's failure to stop this practice and negligent hiring and training constitutes a disregard for human life and the rights of private citizens. ,

Sumbundu, Bangaly vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 030331/2019E, Supreme Court - Bronx, September 4, 2019, ended October 22, 2020
$80,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about November 15, 2017, police officers Eula Harris, Wilfredo Benitez, and John Doe falsely arrested -potentially based on race- Bangaly Sumbundu, Mohammadou Touray, and Amadou Diallo for trespassing. Sumbundu, Touray, and Diallo -collectively plaintiffs- were visiting a friend at 1310 Sheridian Ave. of Bronx when the officers stopped and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs were all at the above location properly and were not trespassing, but the officers still verbally abused, arrested, and maliciously prosecuted them. While being detained for multiple hours, the plaintiffs were harassed by others being detained, and the officers maliciously prosecuted the plaintiffs disregarding their constitutional rights...

Touray, Saibo vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 021186/2019E, Supreme Court - Bronx, January 30, 2019, ended January 13, 2020
$35,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On December 2, 2017, Mr. Saibo Touray was waiting outside a residence in the Bronx. Officers Harris and Benitez stopped Mr. Touray. After Mr. Touray asked why he was being arrested, he was thrown to the ground and injured in the process. He was transported to the 44th Precinct, booked, and arraigned on December 4, 2017. He was charged, made court appearances, and the matter was adjourned in contemplation of dismissal on October 5, 2018.

Grant, Olusegun, et al. vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 036478/2017E, Supreme Court - Bronx, January 17, 2018, ended September 29, 2022
$52,500 Settlement
Complaint
Description: On or about February 17, 2017, at approximately 4:00 P.M. in the vicinity of Marcy Place and Sheridan Avenue, Bronx, NY, Plaintiffs were walking towards the home of Muhammed Gumaneh (one of the plaintiffs) when they were stopped, handcuffed and arrested by Police Officer Wilfredo Benitez (Shield No. 15506 of the 44th Precinct) and other unidentified officers for no reason. Plaintiffs were then taken to the 44th precinct where each was subjected to a strip search which revealed nothing illegal. Plaintiffs were then brought to Bronx County Central Booking where they were subjected to harassment from other prisoners. On February 18, 2017, Plaintiffs were each arraigned in Bronx County Criminal Court and charged wi...

Roman, Jerome vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 17CV02697, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, May 24, 2017, ended March 30, 2020
Zero Disposition
Complaint
Description: On July 13, 2012, Defendant Detective Terrell arrested Plaintiff Roman for resisting arrest. This built on a pattern of Detective Terrell harassing and arresting Plaintiff Roman without probable cause many times during 2012. In April 2014, Plaintiff Roman was arrested by Detective Terrell and other unknown officers for disorderly conduct. While in custody, Detective Terrell assaulted Plaintiff Roman. On July 20, 2014, Plaintiff Roman was falsely arrested by Defendant Officers Wooten and Benitez. The charges were eventually dropped. Plaintiff Roman was repeatedly falsely arrested by Defendants Detective Terrell and Officer Rodriguez and manhandled while in custody through 2016.

Pascal, Negust vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 303560/2016, Supreme Court - Bronx, November 9, 2016, ended December 7, 2017
$30,000 Settlement

Santana, Kelvin vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 16CV03080, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, April 29, 2016, ended August 1, 2018
Order/Judgment (Verdict)
Complaint
Description: On October 6, 2015, plaintiff and two friends were socializing at a park and not engaging in any unlawful or disruptive conduct. P.O. Wilfredo Benitez and one other officer entered the park in their car, exited the car, and flashed their flashlights in the faces of plaintiff and his friends. The officers falsely claimed that they had smelled marijuana as they were driving by the park. They conducted pat down searches of plaintiff and his two friends and found no illegal drugs or other contraband. The P.O.s instructed the three to remain seated on the bench while they searched the area for evidence of illegal drug use for about 30 minutes, and no evidence of illegal drug use was found. The P.O.s asked for i...

Flores Sr., Moses vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV05845, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, October 20, 2015, ended November 18, 2016
$40,000 Settlement
Complaint
Description: Plaintiff was with his sister when he was approached by defendant officer De La Rosa within a movie theater. The off-duty officer had instructed the plaintiff to "tone it down". The plaintiff, who has been found to be legally "disabled due to a mental condition" and is blind in one eye, left the movie theater voluntarily. Defendant Officer De la Rosa followed the plaintiff and activated the NYPD Emergency Service Unit. When plaintiff left the theater, he was met with fifteen officers. Defendant officers assaulted plaintiff. They arrested and handcuffed him and sent him to the 44th precinct. He was later hospitalized. Plaintiff was charged with Obstructing Governmental Administration, Resisting Arrest, Attempt t...

Jordan, Charles vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 15CV06364, U.S. District Court - Southern District NY, August 14, 2015, ended May 21, 2018
Zero Disposition
Amended Complaint, Complaint, Second Amended Complaint
Description: On December 5, 2012, defendants forcibly entered into plaintiff's apartment. Defendants tackled and forced plaintiff to the ground and began to punch and kick him, causing bruising to plaintiff head and body. Defendants searched the apartment, and found medication belonging to his wife. Defendants confronted plaintiff with the medication and asked him why he was in possession of a controlled substance. Despite plaintiff pointing out that it belonged to his wife, defendants arrested plaintiff. Defendants subsequently lied to the DA's office to justify his arrest.

Omarou, Halidou vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 025528/2014E, Supreme Court - Bronx, November 21, 2014, ended May 16, 2017
$25,000 Settlement

Lhabik, Kazeem vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 022060/2014E, Supreme Court - Bronx, May 13, 2014, ended March 31, 2015
$30,000 Settlement

Lora, Wilfred vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 307285/2013, Supreme Court - Bronx, February 21, 2014, ended March 10, 2015
$32,500 Settlement

Calderon, Waskal vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 302894/2013, Supreme Court - Bronx, June 20, 2013, ended April 22, 2014
$40,000 Settlement

Sanchez, Damaris vs City of New York, et al.
Case # 301305/2013, Supreme Court - Bronx, March 4, 2013, ended April 5, 2017
$40,000 Settlement