BRONX — He was treated like a hardened criminal — just for having prescribed Viagra.
A Bronx man claims an NYPD detective wrongfully arrested him and threw him in jail for two days for carrying the erectile dysfunction pill.
Peter Williams is suing the city and Det. Howell Daniel over the May 25, 2011, bust, according to a lawsuit filed Monday in Bronx Supreme Court.
Williams and his friend were heading to work at about 3 p.m. and had stopped for a slice of pizza when the detective sized them up, according to the lawsuit.
It accuses Daniel of using excessive force while arresting Williams for having the prescribed diamond-shaped blue pills.
After his arrest Williams allegedly spent four hours in a police van — or about the length of time a Viagra pill lasts — and then two days in jail.
"The wrongful, unjustifiable and unlawful apprehension, arrest, detention and imprisonment were all carried out without a warrant or probable cause," the lawsuit says.
The lawsuit does not state the specific charges against Williams, but says he was eventually released. The Bronx District Attorney's office told DNAinfo New York that it declined to prosecute the case but would not elaborate on what the exact charges were against Williams.
Williams "still suffers from episodes of anxiety, anger, loss of sleep, and other impingement of emotional good health," according to the lawsuit. He has also sought support and counseling from family.
The lawsuit does not specify the amount of money being sought. Williams' lawyer did not immediately respond to calls for comment.
A city Law Department spokeswoman declined to comment because the agency hasn't yet received the lawsuit.
"We are awaiting service of the papers and will review them upon receipt," the spokeswoman said.
