Sources To CBS 2: Nassau Officer To Be Charged In Alleged Beating During Traffic Stop
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Nassau County police officer was expected to be hit with criminal charges Tuesday, on allegations that he beat a Westbury man during a traffic stop in April, sources told CBS 2.
Officer Vincent LoGiudice was expected to be arraigned in Nassau County Court after the unsealing of a grand jury indictment connected to the April 25 encounter involving Kyle Howell, 20, sources said Monday night.
A second officer who was allegedly involved, Basil Gomez, was not named in the indictment
James Carver, president of the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association, told reporters last month that Howell failed to obey the officers' orders and resisted arrest, WCBS 880 Long Island Burea Chief Mike Xirinachs reported at the time.
The video, which was obtained by attorneys for the suspect from a Westbury business near where the traffic stop happened, has prompted an investigation by both the Nassau County district attorney and the police department's internal affairs unit. Police officials aren't commenting, citing the ongoing investigation.
Carver said both LoGiudice and Gomez are highly decorated officers with "excellent service records."
Howell had previous encounters with law enforcement.
The officers were "wrestling with this guy, who's repeatedly failing to obey the orders of the police officer to give himself up for arrest," Carver said.
Howell's attorneys have confirmed he has prior arrests for marijuana possession and petite larceny.
Howell was arrested April 25 on charges including resisting arrest, marijuana possession and tampering with evidence. The charges were later dropped by Acting state Supreme Court Justice Alan Honorof.
But Carver said last month that Howell belongs behind bars.
"You released the wrong guy today and you're making the wrong target of the police officers," Carver said last month. "In the end, these police officers will be exonerated.
Howell has said previously that he plans to sue, claiming he was targeted and harassed. He said he's been pulled over by the officers in the past, ever since he pleaded guilty to petite larceny and marijuana possession in 2012.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories:
