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Cop Cleared of Assault in Violent Arrest Outside Long Island Bar

What to Know

  • Rockville Centre police officer Anthony Federico has been cleared of assault and other charges during a violent arrest outside a bar
  • Prosecutors said Federico used excessive force by hitting a 25-year-old man in the head with his stun gun while the man was on the ground
  • Federico's lawyer said everything he did was "reasonable and responsive" to the attack he faced

A police officer has been acquitted of assault and other charges during a violent arrest outside a Long Island bar. His lawyer said Rockville Centre Officer Anthony Federico was merely defending himself against an unruly mob.

A Nassau County state Supreme Court judge cleared Federico Tuesday of all charges. His lawyer, William Petrillo, says everything Federico did "was reasonable and responsive to the attack" he faced.

Federico was dispatched in May 2016 to a brawl outside a bar.

Prosecutors said Federico used excessive force by hitting then 25-year-old Kevin Kavanagh in the head with his stun gun while Kavanagh was on the ground, then filed false paperwork about the head injury.

Petrillo said Kavanagh had hit Federico in the face and later grabbed the officer in a headlock.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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