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Brooklyn DA Starts Probe Of NYPD Sex Assault Claim

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Oct 26, 2008 11:20 am US/Eastern

Brooklyn DA Starts Probe Of NYPD Sex Assault Claim

Attorneys: Officers Sexually Assaulted Michael Mineo With Walkie-Talkie; NYPD Vehemently Denies Charge

Doctors At Local Hospital Diagnose Man's Injury As 'Anal Assault'

Reporting
Pablo Guzman
NEW YORK (CBS) ― A 24-year-old man who claims he was sodomized by a group of New York City police officers talks for the first time on camera, to CBS 2 HD.

"I was violated," Michael Mineo said.

Last Wednesday, police say 24-year-old Mineo tried to get away from them after he was spotted smoking marijuana outside a Brooklyn train station. Mineo said he was tackled by two cops near the token booth -- it was about 12:30 in the afternoon -- and that three other cops also appeared. Mineo's lawyers said while one officer held him down, the other pulled down his pants, and then, allegedly, shoved part of a walkie-talkie into his rectum. 

"How do you think I'm supposed to feel?" Mineo asked through tears.

The NYPD is fighting back against the allegations of police brutality. Five officers are being investigated after a man claimed they sexually assaulted him.

In a statement, Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Browne said: "His assertion that he was sodomized is not supported by independent civilian witnesses on the scene."

Later, on the phone, Browne told CBS 2 HD: "The witnesses said they heard him say he was being sodomized, and that he was being Tasered. They saw neither and we checked. Those officers don't carry Tasers."

Actually, one law enforcement source said Mineo may have yelled, "Don't Taser me!" as if he was afraid he might be Tasered. A friend immediately took Mineo to Brookdale Hospital. Someone read the medical report to CBS 2 HD. It said the diagnosis is anal assault. The hospital called the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office.

Now, District Attorney Charles Hynes has begun a full investigation. Mineo works at a tattoo parlor. He has a case pending for taking part in a brawl here, police said, in April.

Lawyers said because of what happened to Mineo at this train station, he still requires medical attention.

Mineo's lawyers say there are at least six witnesses, and surveillance cameras on the station's platform may have captured something on tape.

According to the lawyers, a walkie talkie was confiscated from an officer's locker, but not until several days after the alleged attack.

"That officer may have had time to get rid of the walkie talkie or clean it," Mineo's attorney, Kevin Mosley, said.

A spokesperson for the union representing NYC police officers said they had no comment.

The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association says it will wait for the results of the internal police investigation before it comments.

The Brooklyn district attorney has set up a hotline asking potential witnesses in the subway that day to call. The number is 718-250-2759.

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