New revelations unveiled in assault case against Rockville Centre officer

<p>New evidence was released in court today in the case of a Rockville Centre police officer charged with assault. Police Officer Anthony Federico is charged with felony assault for allegedly hitting a Rockville Centre man in the head with a Taser. Kevin Kavanagh suffered a head injury and required stitches. During the court conference today, Federico&rsquo;s attorney said medical records show Kavanagh had a blood alcohol content of 0.20, and had cocaine in his system at the time of t...</p>

News 12 Staff

Apr 19, 2017, 4:48 PM

Updated 2,556 days ago

Share:

New revelations unveiled in assault case against Rockville Centre officer
New revelations have been unveiled in the case of a Rockville Centre police officer charged with assault.
Police Officer Anthony Federico has been indicted and charged with felony assault for allegedly hitting a Rockville Centre man in the head with a Taser.
News 12 has obtained exclusive cellphone video from May 2016 that shows a confrontation between Federico and two Rockville Centre brothers, Kevin and Brendan Kavanagh.
Both brothers say they were injured. Kevin Kavanagh required staples in his head after prosecutors say Officer Federico smashed him in the head with the Taser.
On Wednesday, the attorney for Officer Federico revealed that blood taken from Kavanagh that night at the hospital shows he had cocaine in his system and a blood alcohol level of 0.20 -- more than double the legal limit.
"This is very important because it helps to explain what clearly was very violent and aggressive behavior, which helps to explain and justify the officer's reasonable belief that it was necessary to use the force that he did," says attorney William Petrillo.
Petrillo also says the video needs to be watched closely. He says what should be noted first is that Kevin Kavanagh allegedly put his arm around Officer Federico's neck, in what he calls a headlock. He also says it shows Brendan Kavanagh kicking Federico in the backside and then reaching toward his gun belt.
The cellphone video does not contain audio, but Petrillo says if you could hear it, it included a crowd of 20 people yelling and screaming at the officer, making him further feel his life was in danger.
Officer Federico remains on active duty on the force in Rockville Centre.
If convicted, he faces up to seven years behind bars.


More from News 12
1:45
Rain showers return tonight in New Jersey; temps warm up for the weekend

Rain showers return tonight in New Jersey; temps warm up for the weekend

Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

2:32
Main Street New Jersey: Some great food spots to try in South River

Main Street New Jersey: Some great food spots to try in South River

0:54
Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Is your mom awesome? New Jersey tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? New Jersey tell us why your Mom Rocks!

2:43
‘Now he literally has a part of me.’ Brother donates part of his liver to twin

‘Now he literally has a part of me.’ Brother donates part of his liver to twin

0:27
Police: Husband and wife stole jewelry from Bridgewater retirement facility

Police: Husband and wife stole jewelry from Bridgewater retirement facility

2:23
Rutgers police: Person charged for shooting people with Orbeez gun

Rutgers police: Person charged for shooting people with Orbeez gun

3:40
Police: Marlboro Township Public Schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive 'unfounded' bomb threats

Police: Marlboro Township Public Schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive 'unfounded' bomb threats

0:29
GoFundMe pages created for Paterson families displaced by house fires

GoFundMe pages created for Paterson families displaced by house fires

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

0:16
Police: Man tried to stab UPS driver who refused to give him a ride

Police: Man tried to stab UPS driver who refused to give him a ride

0:41
Jersey Proud: Holi celebration held at Cooper University Hospital in Camden

Jersey Proud: Holi celebration held at Cooper University Hospital in Camden

0:29
Police: North Carolina man killed in crash on Garden State Parkway in Irvington

Police: North Carolina man killed in crash on Garden State Parkway in Irvington

House of Independents announces initial summer lineup following temporary closure due to flooding damage

House of Independents announces initial summer lineup following temporary closure due to flooding damage

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald says Travis Green is part of his search for a new coach

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald says Travis Green is part of his search for a new coach

Atlantic City mayor: I'm committed to my family and city while dealing with daughter abuse charges

Atlantic City mayor: I'm committed to my family and city while dealing with daughter abuse charges

1:55
Bear-resistant trash cans being provided for 6 New Jersey towns

Bear-resistant trash cans being provided for 6 New Jersey towns

7-Eleven, Wawa or QuickCheck? New poll reveals New Jersey’s favorite convenience store

7-Eleven, Wawa or QuickCheck? New poll reveals New Jersey’s favorite convenience store

0:18
Dover police warn residents of men in face coverings knocking on doors

Dover police warn residents of men in face coverings knocking on doors