NYPD Cop, Accused Of Falsely Arresting Black Man, To Plead Guilty To Federal Charges

Phtoograph by Al Mueller / Shutterstock.com

Last year, the federal authorities charged a police officer for violating the civil rights of a 31-year-old black man, claiming that officer Michael Daragjati falsely arrested him can called him a "n-----" Now, Daragjati's lawyer says they have a plea scheduled.

On April 15th, Daragjati and his partner stopped an unidentified 31-year-old black man who was walking alone with his hands in his pockets in the Stapleton section of Staten Island. Daragjati allegedly pushed the man against a parked van and "roughly" frisked him. Finding nothing, the individual was sent on his way, but while walking away, the man insulted Daragjati, who then arrested him. From the FBI:

After the victim complained about his treatment during the stop and frisk, Daragjati arrested him. The complaint alleges that although the victim did not resist arrest, Daragjati falsely wrote in a police report that the victim had flailed his arms and kicked his legs during the arrest, purportedly justifying a resisting arrest charge. The following day, Daragjati swore out a complaint containing similar false statements, which was filed in Richmond County Criminal Court. As a result, the victim was held in custody for approximately 36 hours.

The day he swore out the complaint, the government intercepted a telephone call between Daragjati and a friend. As detailed in the complaint, while referring to the victim’s arrest and prosecution, Daragjati told the friend that he had “fried another nigger.” The government subsequently intercepted several additional calls during which Daragjati allegedly used the word “nigger” to refer to African-Americans. In other intercepted calls Daragjati stated that he risked getting fired if he was caught “throw[ing] somebody a beating” and complained that it was too easy for police officers to get in trouble. He then admitted that he had been “skating it for a long time.”

While attorney Eric Franz would not elaborate on the details of the plea (his client was also accused of extorting people in his construction and snow plowing side business), he did tell reporters, "Race played no part in the decision he made in effectuating the arrest of the individual in question."

The plea is scheduled for January 24.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on January 12, 2012 6:23 PM

Comments [rss]

Gothamistriss

If it's true, he should fry no doubt about it.

But, i'm not willing to cast a broad net and say most or even a lot of cops are racist. Isn't there something like 40,000 of them? There's bound to be bad apples. I'm also not ignorant.... I know for every 1 story we read like this, there are 15 every day not published where they risked their lives to save somebody else's. I'm normally not this supportive but the other day I personally watched a cop dive into the freezing hudson river to swim and save a lady. I was in awe. I don't even know if it made the papers, but that cop didn't even think twice he just dove in and saved her.

"Tim Osman"

All the racist issues aside there is another widespread problem. The ego of individual police officers. Let's suppose the account of the events in this article is accurate - the fact that the arrest took place after the man that was frisked insulted the police officer is very telling. It is an ego trip for many officers - be sheepish, do what you are told, don't talk back and swallow your pride and you may walk away most times - open your mouth and you are not going to be ignored or insulted back, you have now in some way horrendously insulted that officer and his/her precious ego and whatever happens next (in the officer's mind) you deserve and brought upon yourself. This is not public service and community policing - this is overly-sensitive, arrogant and overly prideful individuals over-reacting to people put in bad positions sometimes unable to stay quiet. Sad.

petey2

this guy sounds like he should have never been hired in the first place.

nomadnewyork

Your tax dollars at work... paying this guys salary, his legal fees and a court settlement.

the4thcoming

Is anyone surprised??

This pig's words and actions represents the MAJORITY of the NYPD.
And for those who ignorantly think that this was just one bad apple, NO, this was just ONE that happened to get caught. I've witnessed too many incidents where my old roommate/Co workers were harassed on their way home simply because they're black. Meanwhile, the times I was there, I was never even looked at (because I'm white?).
I'm one of those Caucasians who has no problem admitting the fact that yes, my people mostly consists of racist scumbags. And any Caucasian who denies it, is a racist themselves.

Did I hear God bless America??

Randy Macklin

Wow, I get that you are upset, and if what you say is true the cops were jerks, but man, you sound like you have a serious case of white guilt. That's no better than racism in my book.

m015094

How did you witness your friends being harassed if they were only harassed when you weren't there?

Hmm counselor? Were you hiding in the bushes or did you not actually witness anything.

Plus, NOBODY has claimed that there are only few bad apples. You keep claiming it, but not even Ray Kelly would agree with you. There are probably 100's of racist, rapist, sexists assholes in the NYPD - a dept of 45,000.

But you think the "majority" (above 50%) is like the asshole in the story? Well, the NYPD is 47.5% Caucasian, so a large number of the minority cops must be racist as well. Are those racist black cops picking on you because you're white? I didn't sound like it from your story.

If I had to put my finger on it, you're a illegal drug user. You hate drug laws and therefore the NYPD. Sound about right? Or was it a ticket for running a stop sign on your bike? Or both maybe.

Why don't you go live in the suburbs if you can't handle the NYPD?

the4thcoming

Aww this is too easy.
Well, in my old roommate's case, who was a 48 year old African American that worked in city college, was stoped and frisked walking home 4 times in the same location (which was close to our building), and twice by the same officers and each time I had to come and conform that he was a resident before they let him go. If I hadn't, I can only imagine what would have been done to him. And did I mention that all the officers involved in all incidents were white?

And that's just to name a few.
Now how about you jam your head back up your @ss where it can't offend anyone.