A lawsuit filed in federal court alleges that a local municipality's vehicle seizure practices led to the physical injury and false arrest of a business owner, raising questions about law enforcement procedures and the use of force during routine operations. The complaint was submitted by Daniel Donlon on May 4, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Martin Zimmer, Police Officer John Doe (a placeholder name for an unidentified officer), and the Village of Freeport.
According to the filing, Donlon seeks compensatory and punitive damages under federal civil rights statutes, specifically citing violations of his Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights. The complaint outlines allegations stemming from an incident in which Donlon claims he was unlawfully seized, physically abused, and falsely arrested by Freeport police officers while conducting business as a towing operator.
The background provided in the complaint details what is described as Freeport’s “seizure-for-profit and kickbacks program.” Donlon alleges that prior to September 12, 2022, the Village implemented a system known as its “Ring of Steel,” which uses fixed license plate readers (LPRs) to scan vehicles entering or exiting the area. If an LPR detects expired or suspended registration on a vehicle, patrol officers are notified to pull over and impound it. The suit states: “The sole reason for which the Defendant Village of Freeport and its Police Officers seize cars that have expired or suspended registrations is to generate revenues for the Village.” Owners must pay fees to both the Village and contracted tow companies—who allegedly pay kickbacks to the municipality—for their vehicles’ release. The document claims this practice generates more than $900,000 annually for Freeport.
Donlon operates Nocturnal Towing Corp., providing repossession services for lenders such as American Honda Finance Corporation. In July 2024, his company was tasked with repossessing a Honda CRV from a debtor named Brian Doran. After securing both the vehicle and its keys at Doran’s residence with his employee’s help, Donlon directed his employee to drive the car back to their storage yard while he followed in his tow truck. Unbeknownst to them at that time, the vehicle’s registration had expired.
While driving through Freeport with the repossessed car on August 17, 2024 (the date used for calculating interest on damages), they passed one of Freeport’s LPRs. Defendant Zimmer then pulled over Donlon’s employee based on notification from the LPR system. When informed that police would impound the vehicle and arrange towing by another company contracted with Freeport Police Department—not Donlon’s own company—Donlon refused to hand over the keys voluntarily.
The complaint describes what happened next: “Infuriated by Plaintiff Donlon's refusal to turn over the keys voluntarily, defendant Zimmer charged Mr. Donlon and violently tackled Mr. Donlon from behind…with sufficient force to cause Mr. Donlon to sustain both a concussion and an abrasion to his face.” It further alleges that Zimmer arrested Donlon on charges of obstructing government administration and resisting arrest despite no interference with official duties beyond refusing to surrender keys.
Donlon asserts that Police Officer John Doe witnessed these events but did not intervene or prevent Zimmer’s actions. He argues that neither officer had legal justification for using force or detaining him under these circumstances.
The lawsuit also addresses broader concerns about supervision within Freeport Police Department. It references three previous civil rights lawsuits involving Zimmer dating back as far as 2015—including cases where plaintiffs alleged excessive force or misuse of handcuffs—and claims that “Defendant Freeport is well aware of these documented cases…yet it did nothing to properly train or supervise Defendant Zimmer.”
Three counts are asserted in total: violation of civil rights under federal law due to unreasonable seizure and excessive force; false arrest; and false imprisonment under New York common law. For each count, Donlon requests judgments including $1 million in compensatory damages per count against all defendants jointly and severally; $1 million in punitive damages per count against individual officers; reasonable attorneys’ fees; costs; interest accruing from August 17, 2024; and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case is being handled by Campanelli & Associates P.C., with Andrew J. Campanelli listed as attorney for Daniel Donlon. The case number is 2:26-cv-02646.
Source: 226cv02646_Donlon_v_Zimmer_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf