A Brooklyn native has filed a lawsuit against the city of New York and police officers, alleging charges of false arrest, malicious prosecution, and constitutional violations.
According to the lawsuit, plaintiff Lastarr Davis was arrested on December 15, 2023, based on an Investigation Card (ICARD) charging her with aggravated harassment. The ICARD was reportedly issued after Ebony Ramjeet claimed that Davis had threatened her at a police precinct on April 24, 2023. Davis denies interacting with Ramjeet during her visit to the precinct. After seeing public notices identifying her as a suspect, Davis voluntarily surrendered to police. She alleges that officers used excessive force and conducted an unlawful search during her arrest.
The complaint further alleges that officers fabricated evidence and made false statements to the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. As a result, Davis was charged with menacing and harassment. Although released on her own recognizance after arraignment, she was required to appear in court multiple times before the charges were dismissed in March 2024. Davis claims these actions violated her constitutional rights and seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
The lawsuit also challenges systemic practices within the NYPD, alleging that discriminatory policies are embedded in its operations. It references prior cases, including Floyd v. City of New York, to support claims of racial profiling and the misuse of sealed arrest records. The complaint argues these are not isolated incidents but part of broader unconstitutional policies maintained by the city.
Davis seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress, financial losses, reputational harm, and other alleged injuries. She also seeks punitive damages against the individual defendants.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney Ugochukwu Uzoh of The Law Offices of Ugo Uzoh, P.C. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under Case ID 1:25-cv-03511-NGG-JRC and is presided over by Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis.