Anthony Federico, 36, is also accused of falsifying official police documents
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Rockville Centre police officer was arraigned today on indictment charges related to allegedly striking a man in the head with a Taser gun while investigating a street assault in May 2016.
Anthony Federico, 36, was arraigned today before Acting Supreme Court Justice Teresa Corrigan on charges of Assault in the 2nd Degree (a D violent felony), Assault in the 3rd Degree (an A misdemeanor), two counts of Offering False Instrument for Filing in the 2nd Degree (an A misdemeanor) and two counts of Falsifying Business Records in the 2nd Degree (an A misdemeanor).
The defendant was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on April 19. If convicted of the top count, the defendant faces up to 2-1/3 years to seven years in prison.
“The defendant is accused of beating the victim with a Taser gun, causing a severe laceration to his head and falsifying police paperwork after the incident,” DA Singas said. “Accusations of police misconduct are treated very seriously by this office, and we carefully interview witnesses and examine the evidence when an allegation is made. It is our obligation as prosecutors to follow the evidence where it takes us. In this matter, the facts were presented to a Nassau County grand jury and it returned an indictment.”
DA Singas said on May 8, 2016, at approximately 2:45 a.m., police officer Federico was involved in an investigation of an assault between two groups of young adults that had just taken place on South Park Avenue, near Merrick Road, in the Village of Rockville Centre. The 25-year-old victim of the assault was being helped off the ground by his 20-year-old brother – who was also allegedly involved in the fight – when the officer tried to gather information from them.
A physical confrontation between the brothers and officer Federico ensued and resulted in the defendant discharging his Taser several times. At one point during the incident, officer Federico allegedly struck the older brother on the top of his head with a Taser gun, causing a six centimeter front scalp laceration requiring sutures and staples to close. The defendant is also alleged to have falsified information in official police documents concerning the events.
Deputy Bureau Chief Robert Cavallo of DA Singas’ Public Corruption Bureau is prosecuting this case. Federico is represented by William Petrillo, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.