Ryan Jackson, a United States citizen currently residing in Poland, has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the City of New York and several prosecutors and investigators from the Richmond County District Attorney's Office. The complaint was lodged on January 7, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Jackson accuses the defendants of violating his constitutional rights through wrongful criminal prosecution based on unauthenticated digital evidence.
The lawsuit centers around charges initiated against Jackson between January 13 and January 16, 2024, which included allegations of making "terroristic threats" via email or digital communication. Jackson asserts that these communications were mischaracterized and did not constitute genuine threats under applicable law. He claims that his speech was hyperbolic or emotional in nature and lacked any real intent to commit acts of terrorism. Furthermore, he argues that he neither owns weapons nor engaged in conduct suggesting plans for violence.
Jackson contends that the prosecutorial team, including Melanie Sommers and Adam Silberlight, along with Detective Sergeant Charles Rubano, failed to establish a proper chain of custody for digital evidence and relied on unsubstantiated claims regarding his authorship of the alleged threatening communications. Additionally, he alleges that sealed charges were maintained without providing him fair notice or an opportunity to defend himself adequately.
The plaintiff also accuses the defendants of coordinating with federal authorities to revoke his passport as a coercive measure to force his return to New York instead of allowing electronic participation in legal proceedings. As a result of these actions, Jackson claims significant harm including restrictions on travel, emotional distress, reputational damage, and financial losses.
Jackson seeks compensatory and punitive damages from all defendants as well as declaratory relief affirming violations of his constitutional rights under the First, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments. He also requests coverage for costs associated with this action should he obtain legal representation later.
The case is presided over by judges at the Eastern District Court of New York under Case ID 1:26-cv-00094. Ryan Jackson is representing himself pro se in this matter.
Source: 126cv00094_Jackson_v_City_of_New_York_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf