Rodney Davis, a 58-year-old Brooklyn resident, has filed a lawsuit against the City of New York and several NYPD officers, including Officer Antonio Costa, alleging violations of his civil rights. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on December 21, 2025. Davis accuses the defendants of false arrest, malicious prosecution, and other abuses stemming from an incident that occurred in September 2024.
According to the complaint, on September 22, 2024, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Rodney Davis was driving through Brooklyn with two passengers when he was stopped by NYPD officers conducting what they claimed were "safety checks." Despite there being no visible checkpoint or signs indicating such operations, Davis complied with the officers' instructions to pull over. However, after questioning why he needed to provide his license when he had committed no traffic violation or crime, Officer Costa allegedly ordered his arrest. Davis was forcibly removed from his vehicle and handcuffed tightly enough to cause injury.
The plaintiff asserts that this encounter lacked any reasonable suspicion or probable cause. After being arrested without justification, Davis's vehicle was seized and taken to the precinct along with him. At the precinct, he faced further indignities as officers searched him again and destroyed parts of his clothing. He was charged with Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the Second Degree and Failure to Obey a Police Officer—charges that were eventually dismissed on January 3, 2025.
Davis claims that these actions resulted in physical injury, emotional distress, reputational harm, and a deprivation of his constitutional rights under both federal and state law. He seeks compensatory and punitive damages for these alleged violations under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Additionally, he accuses Officer Costa and other unnamed officers (referred to as John Does) of malicious prosecution for initiating criminal proceedings based on false allegations.
In seeking redress from the court, Davis demands a jury trial and requests compensatory damages determined by jury assessment at trial alongside punitive damages against all defendants jointly and severally. He also seeks costs associated with litigation including attorney’s fees.
The case is represented by Aaron M. Rubin from Rubin Law Firm located at Wall Street Suite in New York City while awaiting assignment before a judge within Case ID: 25CV7006.
Source: 125cv07006_Davis_v_City_of_New_York_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf