The sheriff alleges that, when officers tried to arrest Presti again, he ran to his car, dragged an officer 100 yards, and broke both of the sergeant’s legs. Presti’s attorney, who provided the video, says the images from a surveillance video clearly show his client running for his life, claiming deputies were in unmarked cars, never identified themselves, and clearly jumped on the hood of the Presti’s car. The attorney also disputed the severity of the officer’s injuries. Sheriff Joe Fucito said the officers who initiated the arrest were “in full police uniform and identified themselves as law enforcement officers.”
Ten charges were levied against Presti including assault, but released later Sunday on his own recognizance without bail. He said the fight isn’t over, but the bar will be closed the next few days to regroup. -GEG
There’s new video of an incident involving a Staten Island bar owner and sheriff’s deputies that ended with him under arrest.
That man was already facing charges of ignoring COVID restrictions.
He says he did nothing wrong in his latest run-in with the law.
As CBS2’s Christina Fan reports, newly released surveillance shows the moment Danny Presti of Mac’s Public House allegedly ramming his Jeep into a sheriff’s deputy trying to arrest him for defying coronavirus restrictions.
The criminal complaint accuses Presti of acting with “depraved indifference to human life,” his attorney, who provided the video, says the images clearly show his client running for his life.
“Two big burly officers came out between a parked car from behind him and yelled ‘Presti, hey Presti,’ and started running at him. That’s what started the whole set of events,” said attorney Lou Gelormino.
Presti has been at odds with the sheriff’s office and city since he declared his bar an “autonomous zone,” allowing patrons to eat and drink inside even though indoor dining is prohibited in orange zones.
Additional source:
https://nypost.com/2020/12/07/video-shows-moment-macs-public-house-owner-rammed-sheriff/
Too bad these were not constitutional sheriffs deputies, seems to me they got what they deserved for violating their oaths of office. In any case I feel for the victim of this power grab and over reach of authority. Wish the bar owner well in his case.
Sheriffs in New York City are not elected by the people. They are appointed by the mayor. So Sheriff Joe Fucito is one of De Blasio’s boys. New York City sheriffs are not like the sheriffs we have in counties outside of New York City. These NYC “sheriffs” are appointed by the mayor. They are not elected by the people.