Harlem Cops Beat, Falsely Arrested 2 Men, Lawsuit Alleges

EAST HARLEM, NY — Two men are suing the NYPD, alleging they were beaten and unjustly arrested by officers in East Harlem two years ago after being falsely accused of participating in a fight.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in state court, stems from an incident on Nov. 24, 2019. The two men, Kevin Alston and Joseph Peterson, say they were walking around 6 p.m. on Lexington Avenue between East 109th and 110th streets when "numerous NYPD officers" — some in uniform, some in plainclothes — converged around them.

The officers began asking the men questions about a recent fight that they "had not been involved in and knew nothing about," their attorneys wrote.

After the men insisted they knew nothing, the police officers shoved Alston to the ground, injuring his hand, and pushed Peterson against a metal fence, causing him to break his tooth and nose, suffer cuts to his head, and briefly lose consciousness, they allege.

Alston and Peterson were then handcuffed and taken to the NYPD's 23rd Precinct, where Alston stayed for more than nine hours, he says. Peterson was taken to Harlem Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries while handcuffed, he said. After about a day, he was released with a summons.

Peterson's injuries forced him to seek more medical care, including a root canal and crown for his injured tooth. Alston, meanwhile, missed two days of work at his construction job, causing him to lose $320 in wages and ultimately be fired, he says.

Months later, both plaintiffs had their cases dismissed, the suit says.

The men's lawsuit names two police officers — Sheldon Elliott and Adams Casianohidalgo — who they say participated in the arrest, as well as 10 additional cops whose names are not known. Elliott is assigned to the 23rd Precinct, while Casianohidalgo patrols nearby housing projects.

Since 2016, Elliott has faced 10 misconduct complaints stemming from seven different incidents, with allegations ranging from excessive force to a refusal to provide shield number, according to NYPD records. None of the complaints was substantiated. Casianohidalgo has no recorded complaints.

The plaintiffs, Alston and Peterson, are seeking damages from the city for the alleged assault, excessive force and improper search, among other claims.

The NYPD and the men's attorney, Sydney O'Hagan, both declined to comment.