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Rockville Centre Police Officer Charged With Beating Suspect

Anthony Federico
Anthony Federico

A Rockville Centre village police officer was indicted for allegedly beating a suspect with a stun gun while investigating an assault and covering it up last year, Nassau County prosecutors said.

Anthony Federico, 36, pleaded not guilty Wednesday at Nassau County court to charges of assault, offering false instrument for filing and two counts of falsifying business records.

“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,” Nassau County District Attorney Madeline 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.”

Prosecutors said the officer responded to an assault outside of a bar on South Park Avenue near the corner of Merrick Road and tried to gather information from a 25-year-old victim, who was being helped up by the victim’s 20-year-old brother, when a scuffle broke out between the three men at 2:45 a.m. on May 8, 2016.

During the confrontation, Federico struck the older brother on the top of his head with a Taser, causing a six centimeter front scalp laceration that required sutures and staples to close, authorities said. He later falsified information in official police documents describing the events, according to investigators.

Hundreds of local police officers came to the courthouse to show their support for Federico. Police union officials said he used reasonable force to properly defend himself and make an arrest while surrounded by a crowd without backup.

Judge Teresa Corrigan released Federico without bail. He is due back in court April 19. He faces up to seven years in prison, if convicted.