FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Civil Rights Violations Highlight Ongoing Pattern of Police Brutality and Discrimination in New York City
New York, NY – February 1, 2025 – The Sanders Firm, P.C. has filed a formal legal claim against the New York City Police Department (NYPD) on behalf of Jaylin Ryan, a 21-year-old Bronx resident who was falsely arrested, physically assaulted, and subjected to racial profiling by NYPD officers on December 28, 2024.
The legal claim, filed with the New York City Comptroller’s Office, seeks compensatory and punitive damages for false arrest, excessive force, racial discrimination, failure to intervene, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The incident, which unfolded in the early morning hours in the Bronx, underscores ongoing civil rights violations by the NYPD, adding to the growing list of cases involving racialized police brutality and unconstitutional policing practices.
Incident Overview: NYPD Officers Allegedly Assault and Falsely Arrest Innocent Man
At approximately 12:25 AM on December 28, 2024, Mr. Ryan stood lawfully next to his mother’s 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV near 187 East 188th Street in the Bronx, ensuring that a female friend, Carolyn Martinez, entered her apartment safely. The area is known for high crime rates, and Mr. Ryan was exercising reasonable caution.
Without provocation or reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, a group of uniformed NYPD officers, led by Sergeant Brian P. Mahon (Shield No. 4797, Tax Registry No. 955116), aggressively approached Mr. Ryan and demanded identification. Before this incident, Mr. Ryan had never been arrested and had no criminal record, making the officers’ actions even more egregious and unjustified. When Mr. Ryan inquired why he was being stopped, the situation quickly escalated into an unjustified use of force.
According to the legal claim, multiple officers grabbed Mr. Ryan, threw him violently against his vehicle, and forcibly handcuffed him without explanation. While Mr. Ryan was already restrained, Police Officer Joel K. Ayala (Shield No. 4081, Tax Registry No. 954509) delivered a closed-fist punch to the right side of Mr. Ryan’s face, causing significant pain and trauma.
Mr. Ryan was transported in Sergeant Mahon’s vehicle to the 46th Precinct, where officers fabricated a disorderly conduct charge. During transport, Mahon allegedly taunted Mr. Ryan, stating:
“This is what happens if you do not give the police what they ask for; you’ll get punched in the face.”
Explicit Racial Profiling and Retaliatory Ticketing
Upon arrival at the 46th Precinct, Mr. Ryan repeatedly requested medical assistance, complaining of pain and dizziness from the punch. Officers delayed treatment and actively discouraged emergency medical technicians (EMTs) from evaluating him properly, further exacerbating the harm.
When Mr. Ryan’s mother, Nazima Royster, arrived at the precinct, she confronted Sergeant Mahon about her son’s injuries. Mahon allegedly responded:
“When you do not follow protocol, this is what happens. You get punched in your face.”
In a stunning admission of racial bias, Mahon further justified the officers’ actions by stating:
“He’s a Black kid driving a Mercedes-Benz, and the windows are all tinted. Vehicles like that—they [police] search for drugs and guns.”
After spending several hours in police custody, Mr. Ryan was released with three summonses, including:
- Disorderly Conduct (PL 240.20(7)) – Issued without probable cause.
- Double Parking Violation – Issued after the arrest.
- Parking Near a Fire Hydrant – Issued after the arrest.
These tickets, issued after the incident, appear to be retaliatory and an attempt to justify an otherwise unlawful arrest. On January 16, 2025, upon review by a Bronx Criminal Court judge, the disorderly conduct charge was immediately dismissed.
Pattern of NYPD Misconduct and Similar Cases of Civil Rights Violations
The NYPD has a long and documented history of excessive force, racial profiling, and unconstitutional policing—particularly in communities of color. Mr. Ryan’s case is not an isolated incident but rather part of a systemic problem that has resulted in wrongful deaths, excessive force incidents, and legal settlements costing taxpayers millions of dollars.
Notable similar cases include:
- Eric Garner (2014): Died after NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo placed him in a prohibited chokehold while arresting him for allegedly selling loose cigarettes. His final words, “I can’t breathe,” became a national rallying cry against police brutality.
- Delrawn Small (2016): Shot and killed by an off-duty NYPD officer during a road rage incident. Video evidence contradicted the officer’s self-defense claims, yet no conviction followed.
- Kawaski Trawick (2019): Shot and killed inside his apartment after NYPD officers entered without cause and escalated a non-threatening situation into a fatal encounter.
- Dounya Zayer (2020): Knocked to the ground by an NYPD officer during the George Floyd protests, resulting in severe head trauma.
Legal Violations in Mr. Ryan’s Case
The legal claim against the NYPD alleges multiple constitutional and civil rights violations, including:
- False Arrest: No probable cause existed for Mr. Ryan’s detention.
- Excessive Force: The use of violent physical assault against a restrained individual violates NYPD policy and the Fourth Amendment.
- Racial Discrimination: Sergeant Mahon’s explicit racial statements prove bias-based policing and violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
- Failure to Intervene: Multiple officers witnessed the incident and failed to prevent or report misconduct, making them equally liable.
- Negligence and Medical Misconduct: The denial and delay of medical attention violate NYPD protocol and fundamental human rights.
- Retaliation and Fabricated Charges: Issuing unjustified tickets after the arrest constitutes abuse of authority and an attempt to cover up misconduct.
Call for Immediate Action and Systemic Reform
Eric Sanders, Esq., of The Sanders Firm, P.C., stated:
“This case exemplifies the deeply entrenched systemic failures within the NYPD—where excessive force, racial profiling, and unlawful detentions persist without consequence. Mr. Ryan was unlawfully assaulted, humiliated, and deprived of his constitutional rights for no reason other than being a young Black man in his own community. This legal action is not just about seeking justice for Mr. Ryan, but about holding law enforcement accountable and demanding real, systemic change. The officers involved in this egregious misconduct must face the full weight of the law. Their actions warrant immediate termination, suspension, and criminal prosecution. We call upon the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office to conduct a thorough investigation and bring criminal charges against these officers to ensure that no individual is above the law, including those entrusted to uphold it.”
Contact:
For media inquiries, legal commentary, or to support Mr. Ryan’s case, contact:
The Sanders Firm, P.C.
30 Wall Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10005
Phone: 212-652-2782
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