NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A former Department of Homeless Services police sergeant is accused of pummeling a man's head at a homeless shelter.
Prosecutors say Cordell Fitts, 34, punched, stomped, and kicked the man more than 10 times.
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Fitts has been charged with one count of deprivation of civil rights through use of excessive force, and one count of falsifying a report. His arrest was announced Thursday, by U.S. Attorney in Manhattan Geoffrey Berman, and Department of Investigation commissioner Margaret Garnett.
The incident allegedly took place on March 6, 2017 at the Bellevue Shelter, NBC4 reported.
The victim was seeking services at the DHS run shelter. He was in the lobby along with three DHS officers, including Fitts, according to the complaint. Fitts allegedly gestured towards an exit after exchanging words with the victim, and put his hands on the victim's chest.
A physical altercation ensued, in which the victim swung at Fitts with what appeared to be a closed fist, the complaint alleges. The man was taken to the ground, and Fitts kicked, punched, and stomped his head as he was on the ground with officers on top of him, the complaint claims. Fitts allegedly hit the man about 11 times, the complaint says, before backing away, only to return and strike him two more times as officers tried to place handcuffs on him.
According to the complaint, Fitts filed a report stating that 'necessary use of force' was used to 'safely detain' the victim. The allegedly falsified report also claims the victim later stated, "I am off my psych medication and going through a lot."
Those statements were untrue, and used by Fitts to justify the assault, the complaint says.
Fitts was with DHS from 2012 to 2018.
“The actions described, including the cover-up, are horrifying and will never be tolerated in our City. Through our partnership with the NYPD, we remain squarely focused on improving shelter security while strengthening oversight.” DHS spokesman Isaac McGinn told NBC4.
Fitts was released on $100,000 bond, and given 10 days to find a bond co-signer. If convicted he faces 10 years on the deprivation charge, and 20 for falsifying a report.