Allegations of excessive force and wrongful arrest have been brought to federal court following an incident involving a local man and members of the New York City Police Department. The complaint, filed by Maximus Jack on April 16, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, names the City of New York and several unidentified police officers as defendants. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, and other relief for alleged violations of civil rights under federal and state law.
According to the filing prepared by Brett H. Klein, Esq., PLLC, Maximus Jack alleges that on January 16, 2025, he was subjected to unlawful treatment by plainclothes NYPD officers outside his mother’s house in Jamaica, Queens. The complaint states that after parking his car legally near his mother’s residence at 168-32 105th Street and returning to her home, Jack heard police sirens as he approached the front door. As he entered the house and began closing the door behind him, it was pushed open from outside by police officers who ordered him to freeze with his hands up.
Jack claims that despite complying with these orders by raising his hands, one officer punched him in the face while he stood in the doorway. After falling to the ground and attempting to get up, Jack alleges he was punched again before being dragged out of the house by officers who then placed a foot on his back while handcuffing him. Once restrained outside his mother’s home, Jack was searched by officers as his mother witnessed the events unfold from inside before coming outside herself. She reportedly told officers that her son had done nothing wrong but was pushed back onto the sidewalk.
The complaint further outlines that Jack was transported first to the 103rd Precinct and then to the 115th Precinct before being returned to the original precinct where he was charged with resisting arrest. He appeared in Queens County Criminal Court on January 17, 2025; all charges were dismissed and sealed at that time.
The lawsuit asserts that both individually named defendants (identified as John and Jane Doe) and supervisory personnel failed either directly or indirectly to prevent or intervene in what is described as unconstitutional conduct. It alleges these actions were carried out under color of state law pursuant to customs or practices within both the NYPD and municipal government.
Jack’s legal team argues that these events are not isolated incidents but part of broader patterns within city agencies: “Defendant CITY OF NEW YORK is aware (from lawsuits, notices of claims...and complaints filed with...the Civilian Complaint Review Board) that many NYPD officers...are insufficiently trained regarding proper and necessary use of force.” The suit also claims municipal liability based on allegations that inadequate screening, hiring practices, training programs, supervision policies—and a failure to take corrective action—have led to repeated deprivations of civil rights.
The complaint lists thirteen causes of action under both federal statutes (including Section 1983) and state law: false arrest/unlawful imprisonment/unreasonable search; malicious prosecution; excessive force; violation of right to fair trial; failure to intervene; municipal liability; assault; battery; negligent screening/hiring/retention/training/supervision; as well as violations under specific provisions of New York City Administrative Code §§8-801 through 8-807.
For each cause of action described—including those relating specifically to physical injuries sustained during arrest—Jack seeks “compensatory damages in an amount to be fixed by a jury,” along with punitive damages against individual defendants where applicable. He also requests reasonable attorneys’ fees plus costs associated with bringing this action.
The filing concludes with a demand for judgment against all defendants jointly and severally for full compensatory damages determined at trial alongside other relief deemed just by the court.
Attorney Brett H. Klein represents Maximus Jack in this matter. The case is identified as Index No.: 1:26-cv-02260.
Source: 126cv02260_Jack_v_City_of_New_York_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf