Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Staten Island Cop Sentenced To 57 Months In Prison For Racially-Charged False Arrest And Assault
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 23, 2012
Modified Jun 23, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Handout
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 23, 2012
Modified Jun 23, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A former NYPD officer has been sentenced to over four years in jail for a racially-charged false arrest, and for assaulting another man who he believed stole his snowplow equipment. Michael Daragjati, 33, was arrested last October after he and his partner stopped 32-year-old African-American Kenrick Gray in Staten Island on April 15, 2011; Daragjati fabricated charges against him, keeping the victim in jail for nearly two days. He later was recorded telling a friend on the telephone that he had just “fried another n——-.” “I screwed up now. It’s all over—my career is over," Daragjati said in court as the verdict was handed down.
Daragjati wrote a letter to the judge explaining his use of the N-word, asking for leniency: “I did not use the word out of racist motivation, but instead as part of the culture I was accustomed to...It was used as an ignorant reference to those people on the street because of their disrespect for the community and members of law enforcement." The judge had him read it outloud, then responded: “My goodness, sir, you just made the worst argument that a police officer could make.” Daragjati was sentenced to nine months in jail for violating Gray's civil rights.
In addition, Daragjati was sentenced to an additional 48 months in jail for assaulting and threatening a man in Staten Island in retaliation for the victim allegedly stealing his snowplow equipment. Daragjati pointed a gun at him, allegedly threatening to kill the suspected thief. Daragjati later threatened to commit further acts of violence against the second victim if he went to the authorities. “You don’t take the law into your own hands. It’s pretty basic,” Assistant US Attorney Paul Tuchman said at yesterday’s sentencing.
“He should know better. He’s a police officer.”
Tagged
cops
jail
Michael Daragjati
n-word
nypd
police
racism
staten island
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. ET
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .