A recent federal court filing alleges that a Bronx resident was unlawfully searched, arrested, and subjected to excessive force by police officers while returning home from playing basketball. The complaint was filed on June 2, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York by Noufel Saffiddine against the City of New York and ten unidentified NYPD officers referred to as “John Does.”
According to the complaint prepared by attorneys at Harfenist Kraut & Perlstein, LLP, the plaintiff claims his civil rights under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments were violated during an encounter with police on June 18, 2025. The document states that Saffiddine had just finished playing pickup basketball and was walking toward a train station in Astoria when he was approached by approximately a dozen police officers at the corner of 41st Street and 28th Avenue.
The filing reports that the officers told Saffiddine “not to worry” about why he was being stopped or approached before allegedly searching him without consent. Shortly after this interaction, Saffiddine was placed in handcuffs described as excessively tight, resulting in inflammation and swelling to his hands. He was then transported to the 114th Precinct for booking before being brought to Queens Criminal Courthouse. While held at the courthouse, a court officer informed him that he would be released prior to arraignment.
Saffiddine received a letter from the Queens County District Attorney’s Office confirming that charges against him were dismissed before arraignment. The specific nature of those charges remains unknown according to the complaint. As outlined in court documents, Saffiddine asserts that he suffered severe emotional distress including anxiety, fear, panic attacks, ongoing sleep disturbances, and lasting anxiety about future interactions with law enforcement. The incident reportedly occurred two days before his high school graduation, which he says prevented him from fully participating in or enjoying the event.
The plaintiff further claims financial losses due to missed workdays and expenses incurred for legal representation following his arrest. He states that he filed a Notice of Claim against both defendants on August 5, 2025 for false arrest and excessive force. On November 12, 2025, representatives for the City conducted an examination related to these claims but have not provided a substantive response according to court filings.
The lawsuit presents three main causes of action: false arrest under federal law (42 U.S.C. §1983), false arrest under New York State law, and use of excessive force in violation of constitutional protections against unreasonable seizures. The complaint alleges that “Defendants John Does were acting under color of state law…when they deprived Plaintiff of rights secured by the Constitution…by arresting and detaining Plaintiff without probable cause.” It further asserts that “the force used by Defendants was unreasonable and unnecessary under the circumstances.”
As relief from the court, Saffiddine is seeking compensatory damages no less than $500,000 as well as exemplary or punitive damages against all defendants in amounts to be determined at trial. Additionally, he requests attorney’s fees pursuant to federal statute (42 U.S.C. §1988) along with any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case is identified as Docket No: 26-cv-3287 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Legal representation for Noufel Saffiddine is provided by Steven J. Harfenist of Harfenist Kraut & Perlstein LLP.
Source: 126cv03287_Saffiddine_v_City_of_New_York_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf