NYPD officer charged with assault for repeatedly punching and knocking out a man while he was 'on the ground, defenseless,' DA's office says

The Manhattan District Attorney has indicted a New York police officer for repeatedly punching a man who was acting "erratically" in the face and knocking him unconscious during an encounter in the West Village in November 2021, which "caused the victim to suffer substantial pain."

NYPD Officer Juan Perez, 42, pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in court Wednesday and "categorically denies the allegations put forth by the district attorney," his lawyer, James Kilduff, told CNN.

Prosecutors said the victim also sustained a broken nose and bruising around the eyes.

"Police officers are often put in challenging situations, but they must use their training appropriately and treat the residents of New York City with respect," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.

On November 10, 2021, Perez responded to a call about a man acting erratically and throwing water on pedestrians at a location in the West Village, prosecutors said in a statement of facts provided by the DA's office.

When officers arrived, they witnessed a standoff between three men, one of whom was holding a large bottle of alcohol above his head, the statement of facts details.

The man told police he was being harassed.