New York City Police Department Officer Arrested on Federal Civil Rights Charges and Unauthorized Use of a Computer to Obtain Information from a Law Enforcement Database

A criminal complaint was unsealed this morning in Brooklyn federal court charging New York City Police Department Officer Admir Kacamakovic, a seven-year veteran of the NYPD assigned to the 62nd Precinct in Brooklyn, with violating the civil rights of a patron of a bar owned by the officer’s cousin. Kacamakovic is also charged in the complaint with having improperly accessed a Federal Bureau of Investigation database in an attempt to obtain information regarding the victim of that assault and to obtain other information at the behest of his cousin, who was subsequently federally prosecuted for narcotics trafficking. Kacamakovic was arrested earlier today and will make his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy at the U.S. Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, New York.

The case was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Janice K. Fedarcyk, Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office; and Raymond W. Kelly, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department.

As alleged in the complaint, on July 5, 2008, Kacamakovic, while on duty and in uniform, assaulted with pepper spray, handcuffed and unlawfully detained a man who was involved in a parking dispute in front of a bar owned by Kacamakovic’s cousin. Using an expletive, Kacamakovic told the man that “no one f***s with my cousin’s place.” Kacamakovic also pepper-sprayed a second person during the incident. Thereafter, on two separate occasions, Kacamakovic, in violation of NYPD directives, accessed the NYPD’s computer system to obtain information from a federal database about the assault victim, who had filed both a complaint against Kacamakovic with the Civilian Complaint Review Board and a civil action in New York state court.

As further alleged in the complaint, Kacamakovic also accessed the federal database on behalf of his cousin in a separate matter. Between 2008 and 2009, Kacamakovic’s cousin was the subject of an FBI investigation for, among other crimes, narcotics trafficking. Two federal agents operating in an undercover capacity posed as individuals who could provide the cousin with actual Virginia state driver’s licenses that could be used by illegal aliens and other criminal associates of the cousin. At the cousin’s request, the undercover agents obtained a Virginia driver’s license containing a photograph and name that had been supplied by the cousin. Upon receiving the driver’s license from the agents, the cousin stated that he would “let his cousin run through it.” As charged in the complaint, computer and telephone records reveal that about one month later, Kacamakovic used the NYPD’s computer system to access the federal database to search the name contained in the driver’s license supplied to Kacamakovic’s cousin by the undercover agents.

“This officer allegedly turned his back on his oath to protect and to serve, and instead used his badge and his authority against a citizen and our system of justice. This prosecution demonstrates that the arbitrary and unjustified use of force and the abuse of trust by police officers who are sworn to uphold the law will not be tolerated,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. Ms. Lynch extended her grateful appreciation to the FBI and NYPD, the agencies responsible for leading the government’s investigation.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Fedarcyk stated, “The public trusts the police not only to enforce the law, but to obey it. This is a responsibility that should be taken seriously. As alleged in the complaint, this officer repeatedly used his position to intimidate others, including beat downs and violence, as well as accessing sensitive information that could have jeopardized undercover investigations, all for personal gain. The FBI will continue to investigate those in public positions who engage in corrupt activities.”

NYPD Commissioner Kelly stated, “I want to commend the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau for its important work in uncovering police misconduct and in bringing to justice those who dishonor themselves and the department.”

The complaint charges Kacamakovic with two felony counts and two misdemeanor counts. If convicted of all counts, he faces a maximum sentence of 17 years’ imprisonment.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Warren.

The Defendant:

ADMIR KACAMAKOVIC
Age: 31

The charges in the complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.