Allegations of an unlawful police raid involving handcuffing, detention, and a mistaken apartment search have led two residents to file a federal lawsuit seeking damages for violations of their civil rights. The complaint was filed by Niesha McKnight and Jonathan Spraus on April 17, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against the City of New York and several unidentified NYPD police officers.
According to the court filing, the plaintiffs allege that on January 17, 2025, at approximately 7:00 p.m., they were inside Ms. McKnight’s residence in South Ozone Park, Queens, along with Ms. McKnight’s eight-year-old son when numerous NYPD officers entered their property. The complaint states that the officers were executing or attempting to execute a search warrant related to a person who did not reside in their apartment.
The plaintiffs describe hearing commotion outside before observing multiple officers entering the premises. Officers reportedly used a battering ram or similar device on another unit while announcing themselves as police serving a search warrant. Shortly after this activity at the rear of the house, officers approached the front door where Ms. McKnight lived. The complaint alleges that "defendant police officers rushed to Plaintiffs’ front door, banged on it, and threatened to knock it down if it was not opened." In response, Ms. McKnight opened the door to avoid damage in front of her young son.
Upon entry into the apartment—distinct from other units at the address—the plaintiffs claim that several officers in plain clothes or tactical gear entered with helmets, shields, and firearms drawn. Despite being told repeatedly by both plaintiffs that they had entered the wrong apartment and requests from Ms. McKnight to see a search warrant, "the officers told her in substance to get out of the way, to sit down, and that they would 'get to that later.'" According to the complaint, no steps were taken by police to verify whether they were searching the correct unit before detaining those present.
Both Ms. McKnight and Mr. Spraus state they were handcuffed inside their home while Ms. McKnight’s child was present and visibly frightened. The filing notes: "Ms. McKnight was placed in metal handcuffs behind her back and forced to remain seated while a female officer stood over her," while Mr. Spraus was also handcuffed nearby.
The plaintiffs assert that neither was charged with any crime nor transported from their home but remained detained while police searched each room of their apartment. During this time, Ms. McKnight’s phone was taken from her hand by an officer; her son was ordered to sit down as well.
Throughout these events, both adults say they continued telling police that neither they nor anyone living there matched those named in any warrant being served elsewhere on site: "Plaintiffs repeatedly told the officers that the person they were seeking did not live in their apartment." The complaint further alleges that information confirming this fact was available both before entry and immediately upon arrival but went unheeded by law enforcement personnel.
After what is described as an extended period spent handcuffed while other activities occurred elsewhere on site—and without being shown any valid warrant specific to their apartment—the plaintiffs state they were eventually released after being asked by officers to sign paperwork indicating a warrant had been shown (though no copy was left with them). They contend: "the officers’ entry into and search of Plaintiffs’ apartment...were not authorized by any valid warrant as to Plaintiffs’ specific apartment and were otherwise unlawful." Both individuals report ongoing emotional distress following these events.
The legal claims outlined include allegations under federal law (42 U.S.C § 1983) for violations of Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights due to alleged unreasonable searches and seizures; claims against individual police officers for false arrest, false imprisonment, trespass, negligence under New York State law; as well as claims against the City itself for failure "to properly train, supervise, and discipline NYPD officers concerning execution of search warrants...and constitutional limits on handcuffing non-target occupants during warrant execution." The City is also accused of vicarious liability for its employees' actions.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages for loss of liberty as well as emotional harm suffered during this incident; punitive damages; attorneys’ fees; costs; interest; convening a jury trial; plus any further relief deemed just by the court.
Attorney Aaron M. Rubin represents Niesha McKnight and Jonathan Spraus in this matter (Case ID: 1:26-cv-02314).
Source: 126cv02314_McKnight_v_City_of_New_York_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf