A recent court filing outlines allegations that a Bronx resident was wrongfully arrested, charged, and incarcerated for a robbery in Brooklyn despite having clear video evidence showing he was elsewhere at the time. The complaint, filed by Edward Bowden Roundtree on May 6, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, names the City of New York, Detective Johnny Marquez, and an unidentified NYPD detective as defendants.
According to the document, Roundtree asserts that he was falsely accused of participating in a robbery and assault with a deadly weapon that took place in Canarsie, Brooklyn on December 29, 2024. The complaint states that victims mistakenly identified him as one of four masked assailants who attacked them outside their home after returning from Ultra Lanes Baldwin bowling alley. Despite being at his girlfriend’s residence in the Bronx at the time—an alibi allegedly supported by Ring doorbell footage—Roundtree claims police proceeded with his arrest.
The filing reports that detectives from the NYPD’s 69th Precinct used surveillance images from the bowling alley to run facial recognition checks. Roundtree’s image was flagged due to his prior felony record. Detectives then presented his photograph to the victims before including it in a photo array lineup. The complaint alleges this procedure led to an unreliable identification: “Although the robbery and assault were committed by individuals whose faces were obscured by masks…after showing the victims Mr. Roundtree’s photo from the bowling alley…the detectives then showed the victims a photo array containing Mr. Roundtree’s photo.”
Roundtree describes being arrested without explanation when reporting for a scheduled parole meeting on February 3, 2025. He states that during questioning at a Brooklyn precinct, he denied involvement and attempted to provide exculpatory evidence: “Plaintiff tried to provide Defendants with Ring doorbell video footage which showed him entering his girlfriend’s home in the Bronx at the exact time of the Brooklyn robbery.” According to Roundtree, when his girlfriend offered over speakerphone to bring this footage directly to police, detectives abruptly ended the call and refused further discussion or instructions on submitting evidence.
After two days in custody, Roundtree was arraigned on charges including first-degree robbery before Judge Nancy F. Carrington in Kings County Criminal Court. His defense counsel informed Judge Carrington about the existence of timestamped Ring camera footage corroborating his alibi; however, Assistant District Attorney Langsam reportedly stated she could not verify its accuracy at that time. Bail was set beyond Roundtree’s means—$300,000 bond or $100,000 cash—and he was remanded to Rikers Island.
During seven days at Rikers Island between February 5 and February 11, 2025, Roundtree alleges he underwent forced medical procedures such as blood draws and oral swabs. He also describes being subjected to an attempted strip search while sleeping.
The complaint notes that all charges were dismissed once prosecutors reviewed the Ring camera evidence confirming Roundtree’s presence in another borough during the crime: “the District Attorney’s Office finally reviewed Mr. Roundtree’s alibi evidence and would be seeking to dismiss the charges.” Upon release from court custody on February 11, 2025, Roundtree says he received none of his personal property or clothing back.
In addition to recounting these events as factual allegations supporting claims under federal civil rights law (42 U.S.C §1983), state law, and city administrative code provisions against false arrest, false imprisonment, and malicious prosecution, Roundtree argues that officers disregarded plainly exculpatory evidence—a violation highlighted through multiple legal precedents cited within the filing.
Roundtree seeks compensatory damages jointly and severally against all defendants "in an amount to be determined at trial but not less than one million dollars," along with punitive damages also subject to trial determination. He requests attorneys’ fees under federal statute as well as pre- and post-judgment interest.
The case is represented by Mara Fleder of Wertheimer Fleder LLP (14 Wall Street Suite 4C New York NY 10005). The case number is 26-cv-2724.
Source: 126cv02724_Roundtree_v_City_of_New_York_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf