Three individuals are suing the City of New York and several police officers, claiming their civil rights were violated during a botched drug raid. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on December 18, 2024, names Malik Lewis, Courtney Jackson, and Jessica Smythe as plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs allege their constitutional rights were violated during a raid on September 20, 2023, when officers from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) forcibly entered their residence at 208-08 100th Avenue in Queens without proper cause or warrants.
Malik Lewis and Courtney Jackson were asleep with their young son when officers broke down their door.
Similarly, Jessica Smythe was awakened by armed officers who entered her locked room. Despite finding no contraband in any of the rooms or common areas, all three were arrested and charged with serious drug and weapon offenses.
The plaintiffs contend the charges were fabricated to cover up the police’s failure to apprehend the actual suspect involved in firearms and narcotics found elsewhere on the premises.
They claim officers acted "willfully" and "maliciously," conspiring to falsely charge them as part of a broader NYPD practice of arresting everyone present during raids, regardless of evidence linking them to illegal activities.
The plaintiffs argue this practice led to severe personal repercussions, including public defamation through media coverage orchestrated by police statements.
The plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages, as well as equitable relief, including costs and attorney fees. Their claims include false arrest, malicious prosecution, defamation, and violations of both federal and state laws.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Edward Zaloba and Garnett H. Sullivan. The case is being heard under Case ID 1:24-cv-08628-RML.