A Staten Island resident has filed a lawsuit against the City of New York and several NYPD officers, alleging civil rights violations stemming from an encounter in September 2022.
Douan Dotts filed the complaint on Dec. 27, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The defendants include the City of New York and individual officers Elon James-Robinson, Casey Englehardt, Joseph Marcello, Anthony Giannattasio, Andrew Tagliaferro, and several unidentified officers.
According to the complaint, Dotts was riding his motorcycle on Sept. 28, 2022, when he was allegedly cut off by an unmarked police vehicle operated by Officer Casey Englehardt, with Lieutenant Joseph Marcello and Officer Elon James-Robinson inside.
The complaint details that without warning or use of police lights or sirens, the officers maneuvered their vehicle in front of Dotts at an intersection. This sudden action led to Marcello opening the passenger door into Dotts' path, causing him to crash and sustain a fractured arm.
Despite informing the officers about his injury, Dotts claims he was handcuffed behind his back and subjected to a "rough ride" back to the precinct by Officers Giannattasio and Tagliaferro.
During this ride, he was allegedly tossed around due to high-speed driving and abrupt stops while still handcuffed with a broken arm. Upon arrival at the precinct, Dotts requested medical attention but was reportedly coerced into refusing it with promises of quicker release if he did so.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of false arrest, excessive force, malicious prosecution, and violation of the right to a fair trial, among other charges under federal law (42 U.S.C. § 1983) and state law claims, including negligence in training and supervision.
The complaint alleges that these actions are part of unconstitutional practices within the NYPD related to aggressive policing tactics against motorcyclists in Staten Island.
Dotts seeks compensatory damages for physical injuries and emotional distress, along with punitive damages against the individual officers involved. He also requests attorneys’ fees and any other relief deemed appropriate by a jury.
Dotts is represented by Brett H. Klein from Brett H. Klein Esq., PLLC, based in New York City. The case is filed under Case ID: 1:24-cv-08849.