The Albany Times-Union reports
On Monday, a 22-year-old Troy woman who said she was unlawfully strip-searched by members of the Albany Police Department and then forced to undergo a pelvic cavity search at Albany Medical Center Hospital on Jan. 28 filed a notice of claim against the city.
That legal filing comes a little more than a week after police leaders defended their internal investigation into a complaint by a Ravena woman who said she was subjected to a cavity search on a public street during a traffic stop on Dec. 22.
The January incident allegedly unfolded when a vehicle in which Crystal Royal, 22, was traveling was stopped by police on Interstate 787. It's not clear whether she was the driver or if others were in the car.
Royal's driver's license was current and her vehicle was properly registered and inspected, according to the claim filed by her attorney Terence L. Kindlon of Albany. He said she was not stopped for any traffic infraction.
She was made to stand on the roadway for an extended period of time while her car, body and purse were searched, according to the claim, which was filed in order to preserve Royal's right to file a lawsuit against the city.
Royal's cellphone also was seized, and police used it to inspect her call list and place phone calls, according to the claim.
Royal was then transported to an Albany police station, where she was "involuntarily subjected to an unlawful body cavity and strip search" that included having her squat naked in front of a female officer, the claim states.
Thanks to Jonathan Turley
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