Video shows alleged Putnam police assault

A surveillance video of alleged police brutality in Carmel shows what happened one evening in July 2014, when two high-ranking officers in the Putnam County Sheriff's Office brought a robbery suspect to Carmel Town Hall.

What happened next brought a $35,000 settlement to the suspect, and led to a three-count indictment that was unsealed last week that charged former Senior Investigator Patrick Castaldo with a felony and two misdemeanors. Both investigators have since left the department.

Putnam County District Attorney Adam Levy released the video in response to a Freedom of Information Law request by The Journal News.

The video, which was viewed by Putnam County legislators in December before making the $35,000 award, is expected to be shown in the trial of Castaldo, who was charged with filing a false instrument, a felony; and official misconduct and attempted assault, both misdemeanors.

Castaldo's attorney, Andrew Quinn, declined to comment on the video.

The video, taken in the lobby of Carmel Town Hall, shows Chief Investigator Gerald Schramek and Castaldo at 6:04 p.m. on July 3, bringing DeFreitas into the building for a court date. Schramek, dressed in a white shirt and tie, brings robbery suspect Kenneth DeFreitas into a side room.

Castaldo, dressed in a white shirt and open vest, appears in the lobby at 6:09 p.m. He's talking on his mobile phone. Five minutes later, he's on his phone again. Castaldo makes another call at 6:21 p.m. He's pacing the lobby, looking out the front door. He's on the phone once more at 6:24 p.m.

At 6:34, Schramek and DeFreitas come out of the side room, with DeFreitas walking behind Schramek. Schramek has a file in his right hand, the side on which his gun is holstered. DeFreitas is still standing behind Schramek as the officer opens the door slightly. Then DeFreitas goes for his gun. Schramek tackles DeFreitas, and Castaldo races in from the side room to assist.

Castaldo appears to kick DeFreitas. Schramek pulls DeFreitas along the floor by his shackled ankles. Castaldo stands him up and punches him in the back. DeFreitas falls to his knees. Castaldo then kicks him again.

By 6:39, DeFreitas is lying on the ground and Schramek and Castaldo are having a discussion, with Castaldo gesticulating to make his point. By 6.40, Schramek is on the phone, and they both go into the side room, leaving DeFreitas on the lobby floor by the vending machines.

Then Castaldo gets back on the phone. By 6:52, another police officer arrives to escort DeFreitas away.

Twitter: @davidmckay415