New York City police made their first arrests Sunday for allegedly violating a new mask-wearing ban in Nassau County.
Police say Weslin Omar Ramirez Castillo, 18, was arrested in Levittown, New York, after he was seen wearing a mask and acting suspiciously. Photos showed the suspect dressed entirely in black and police say he was trying to hide a bulge in his pants that was actually a 14-inch knife.
Castillo is the first person to be charged under the county's new mask transparency law, which bans people from wearing face coverings in public except for health or religious reasons. The new order came in response to large groups of protesters hiding their identities during sometimes violent demonstrations.
Castillo was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree obstruction of governmental administration and violation of the Mask Transparency Act.
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New York City police made their first arrests Sunday for allegedly violating a new mask-wearing ban in Nassau County. (Nassau County Police Department)
The county executive declared the arrest a “success for the new mask law.”
Nassau County bans wearing masks in public to curb violent crime and protests
“The individual in the photo was on a street corner when someone reported him as suspicious. Officers stopped him and conducted a body search for mask wearing laws, where a large knife was found,” police said in a statement.
The Republican-majority Nassau County Council passed the mask ban on Aug. 5 and it was signed into law on Aug. 14. The bill is facing lawsuits from critics who claim it discriminates against people with disabilities.
Weslin Omar Ramirez Castillo, 18, is the first person to be arrested under Nassau County's new mask ban. (Nassau County Police Department)
The lawsuit names two plaintiffs who have various health conditions and wear medical masks for protection, but say they fear harassment and possible arrest as a result of the new mask ban.
New York County Passes Mask Ban
“Since August 5, 2024, while in public or private places, strangers have approached GB and asked him if he was sick, if he was well and why he was wearing a mask,” the lawsuit states, listing the initials of one of the plaintiffs.
According to the lawsuit, GB has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and asthma and requires a wheelchair to get around.
Police said Weslin Omar Ramirez Castillo, 18, was attempting to hide a large knife when he was arrested. (Nassau County Police Department)
“GB is concerned that because there is no standard by which police can determine whether a health exception applies, he will be arrested simply for wearing a mask for health reasons,” the lawsuit states. “GB is also concerned that he will be subject to harassment, discrimination and even assault by people, including Nassau County business owners and employees, simply for wearing a mask and going about his daily life.”
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Republican Nassau County Mayor Bruce Blakeman said: The bill was signed into law.“There is a presumption of constitutionality when the Legislature acts, so we are confident the law will be followed and that the law is reasonable and responsible,” county officials said.
Fox News' Timothy Nerozzi and Michael Lewis contributed to this report.
