A Suffolk County police officer on New York’s Long Island has been suspended without pay after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman inside his precinct while his partner allegedly looked the other way.
According to CBS New York, internal affairs and the FBI have launched a criminal investigation into the alleged actions of Officer Christopher A. McCoy, a patrol officer assigned to the Police Department’s 1st Precinct.
“This is a routine traffic stop in the morning, and it results, before noon, in a vicious assault in the precinct,” Brian Egan, a lawyer for the victim, told the news station. “It happened twice inside the precinct while she was alone with this officer.”
According to the complaint, during the traffic stop, McCoy—who is white—and his partner asked the vehicle’s occupants for their IDs. A black female passenger in her 30s was told that she had an outstanding traffic violation and was taken by patrol car to the precinct. The woman says that the officer groped her breasts before threatening her. Once in the interrogation room, McCoy allegedly rubbed up against the victim and then forced her to perform oral sex.
The lawsuit claims that McCoy’s partner knew what was going on and did nothing to stop the assault.
The woman then reportedly asked police for a ride to the hospital for a rape kit to be taken, but was denied. Once she was released, the woman went straight to the FBI.
To add insult on top of injury, in the days following the alleged assault, McCoy reportedly began sending the woman text messages, according to the lawsuit.
The victim is seeking $40 million in damages and legal fees.
Read more at CBS New York.