Mount Vernon Police Officer Accused Of Using Excessive Force

MOUNT VERNON, NY — A Mount Vernon police officer faces charges of reckless endangerment. Officer Ryan Hughes is accused of using excessive force with a woman under arrest, according to District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr.

The charge stems from an Aug. 24, 2019, incident inside the Mount Vernon Police Department.

The complaint alleges that Hughes pushed a woman in his custody into an interview room with sufficient force that she tripped over a small garbage pail and stumbled across the room. She struck the far wall, which is made of cinder block, and fell to the ground. Because the woman was handcuffed, she was unable to break her fall. Before entering the interview room, she was clearly intoxicated and complaining of injury. She subsequently received medical attention.

The District Attorney’s Office received an MVPD videotape in January 2020 as part of a discovery disclosure for the underlying case and immediately commenced an investigation which entailed seeking medical records and interviewing witnesses. The investigation was hampered by the Covid-19 restrictions, the DA said.

The underlying charges against the victim were dismissed in Feb. 2020.

"This is a case where, sadly, a police officer has tarnished the reputation of his department and law enforcement officers everywhere," Scarpino said in a news release Thursday. "Use of excessive force, or corrupt actions by any police officer, is a crime and will be prosecuted. My Office’s Bureau of Public Integrity investigates thoroughly all such allegations and will hold those found to be at fault accountable for their actions.

"As a former FBI agent, I was sworn to uphold the law just as I am today as the chief law enforcement officer of this county. I take every action by a police officer very personally and will not allow anyone to get away with hurting the people of Westchester or the communities they are sworn to serve."

The District Attorney’s Office Public Integrity Bureau and Criminal Investigators conducted the investigation. The Public Integrity Bureau will prosecute the case.

Hughes, 30, surrendered Thursday to the District Attorney’s Office in White Plains and was charged with Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a misdemeanor.

He received a desk appearance ticket and released. He is scheduled to appear in court June 25.