A resident of Kings County has filed a federal lawsuit alleging years of harassment and false arrests by the New York Police Department. Lloyd Caesar, the plaintiff, submitted his complaint to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on September 13, 2024, targeting the City of New York and several named police officers.
Lloyd Caesar claims that since 2020, he has been subjected to repeated unlawful arrests and malicious prosecutions by members of NYPD’s “Street Unit” within the 73rd Precinct. According to Caesar, these incidents have occurred five times near his home, with four happening in just the past two years. He argues that this pattern of behavior is retaliatory and violates his constitutional rights under multiple amendments including the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments.
The complaint details three specific incidents where Caesar was allegedly falsely arrested. On October 6, 2022, Caesar was arrested at Hegeman Street and Osborne Street in Brooklyn for DUI among other charges. The criminal complaint against him was based on fabricated claims by Officer Alix Blot involving a car accident. Despite being detained for over 24 hours, all charges were eventually dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
Another incident occurred on June 15, 2023, when Officers Dennis Diaz and Christian Perez stopped and frisked Caesar without reasonable suspicion near New Lots Avenue and Watkins Street. They arrested him on charges including obstruction of governmental administration and motor vehicle violations. During this arrest, Caesar claims he was assaulted by officers resulting in hospitalization. The Kings County District Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute him shortly after.
The third arrest took place on December 27, 2023. Detective Ahmed A. Almelaiki led a raid on Caesar's home where family members were allegedly injured during the chaotic search for him. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon among other misdemeanors based on unsubstantiated allegations from an individual named George Admonds. After spending over two days in custody, these charges were also dismissed.
Caesar is seeking compensatory damages for emotional distress, bodily injury, anxiety, embarrassment, humiliation, unlawful searches and detentions as well as punitive damages against individual defendants. Additionally, he demands reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs pursuant to federal statutes.
Representing Lloyd Caesar is attorney Justin C. Bonus from Forest Hills, NY. Case ID: 1:24-cv-06433.