36-year-old man allegedly punched and kicked an NYPD officer in a melee at the Staten Island ferry terminal

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – A New York City Police Department officer was attacked while responding to a fight at the St. James Ferry Terminal. George, police said.

According to criminal investigator Joe Maldonado, 36, of the Richmond Terrace Houses, was involved in a physical altercation with the suspect, who remains at large, at the Bay Street and Richmond Terrace terminals on Oct. 18 around 8:30 p.m. complaint and police.

A uniformed police officer responded to a fight that broke out in a hallway Friday evening, with Maldonado allegedly swinging his arms, tensing his body and clenching his fists.

Maldonado allegedly punched the officer in the arm.

The complaint states that after being handcuffed and forced to the floor, Maldonado kicked the officer in the right leg.

The officer suffered injuries that included redness, swelling and pain in his leg, police said.

Maldonado was charged with assault on a police officer, assault, obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and harassment.

Maldonado, who is approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs approximately 175 pounds, has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is free on bail set at $60,000/$20,000 cash. According to public sources, he is to appear again in the criminal court in St. George December 2.

Attorney Lord-Kelvin Richards defended the innocence of his client, Maldonado.

“Mr. Maldonado denies these allegations,” Richards said. “He was attacked by another undetained man and he was simply defending himself.”