by Christopher Zoukis

Derrick Baxton, who was arrested by officers of the New York Police Department with no evidence of wrongdoing, settled his federal civil rights lawsuit with the city of New York for $30,000.

     On February 5, 2010, Baxton was allegedly on his way to visit his sister when he was confronted by officers getting out of an unmarked vehicle. He was searched, arrested and handcuffed despite nothing illegal being found. According to Baxton, he was taken to the 75th Precinct where he was strip-searched without cause and, again, nothing was found.

     Baxton said officers accused him of participating in illegal narcotics activities, which wasn't the case. After his arraignment, he was sent to Rikers Island Correctional Facility to await trial, and remained there until February 11, 2010. The matter was later adjourned.

     On January 11, 2011, Baxton filed a complaint in federal court against Sergeant Dominick Maranzano; Detectives Brian Wood, Christopher W. Ward, Demos Marinakos, Philip Smith, Jennifer Lavelle, Dennis Friendly and Andrew Prendergast; and three unnamed undercover police officers. Baxton accused the defendants of false arrest, unlawful search, failure to intervene and violating his constitutional right to a fair trial because of fabricated evidence.

     On March 14, 2012, a settlement was reached in which the city of New York agreed to compensate Baxton $30,000. The case was dismissed by Judge Eric N. Vitaliano on March 19.

See: Baxton v. City of New York, et al., United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 1:11-cv-00174-ENV-JMA (Mar. 9, 2012)

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