Brownsville Police Accused Of Improper Force By Oversight Board

BROOKLYN, NY — The New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board has filed disciplinary charges against three police officers for stopping a man in Brownsville without cause with improper use of force in 2023.

In front of multiple witnesses, officers arrested Manuel Morales on suspicion of littering a candy box on April 23, 2023, according to Morales' lawyers at Kaishian & Mortazav, LLC. The officers also used pepper spray to stop people from recording the incident, the lawyers said.

The Brooklyn District Attorney decided not to prosecute Morales due to lack of evidence, but the New York City Police Department continued to press charges against him in New York County Summons Court, a spokesperson from Kaishian & Mortazav said.

“I was assaulted and wrongfully arrested publicly in my community," Morales said. "The police pepper sprayed people who tried to advocate for me. Then being prosecuted by the same person who assaulted me was a surreal experience that I don’t think any New Yorker should have to deal with again."

During the arrest, Morales said his shoulder was injured.

"My shoulder injury has affected the way I feel and things I do every day, like how I play with my son,” Morales said.

The CCRB has substantiated several accusations of misconduct against officers Robert Stosch, Ramil Casimir and Joseph Guarrera, and recommended to the NYPD that the charges be filed against the officers and result in a departmental trial.

Stosch is accused of improper use of force, making an unlawful arrest, threats of force, and racial discrimination in law enforcement. Casimir is accused of making an illegal arrest and racial discrimination. Guarrera is accused of using improper force.

Next, the case will go to the Administrative Prosecution Unit.