A male model known for his work with high-profile brands was detained after police arrested a man at a Manhattan subway station.
Finn Doring, who is 23 and has walked for Coach and Fendi, recorded an officer restraining a man during an arrest on a Second Avenue F train.
Authorities claim two officers obstructed the arrest of 24-year-old Kaftarashi Watkins, who was seen in distress and repeatedly asked, “Why am I in custody?”
Reports indicate Watkins had been lying on the subway platform, but he reportedly became disorderly when asked to stand by the officers.
A police complaint noted, “When I was about to arrest the accused, I observed that he tensed his body and did not place his hands behind his back.”
As officers claimed Watkins was arrested for public intoxication, Doring questioned their actions.
“He’s sitting on the floor, so is he drunk?” Doring asked, bringing his camera closer to capture the situation.
When someone signaled him to step back, Doring reacted, saying, “I can speak! I can speak! I’m very sorry if you think I can’t,” clearly agitated.
Doring’s footage captured the moment officers deployed a stun gun on Watkins while he was on the ground, with Doring continuing to film despite the tension.
“This is illegal!” he shouted as officers struggled to subdue Watkins.
Following the arrest, Doring found himself in a filthy holding cell in Union Square, an experience he described as degrading.
In an email statement, he said, “It was unsanitary, and the whole situation felt demeaning.”
Officers claimed Doring interfered with the arrest, a point Doring disputes, asserting he was merely acting as an observer.
“Alarmed by what seemed like excessive force, I filmed parts of the incident and questioned their actions,” he commented in an email.
Doring’s attorney, Mark Bederow, deemed the arrest a retaliation against Doring for exercising his First Amendment rights, stating, “Being offended by Finn’s actions is not grounds for his arrest—it’s completely retaliatory and unlawful.”
Authorities did not address Bederow’s allegations when approached for comments.
While sources mentioned potential charges against Doring for obstructing government administration and disorderly conduct, the district attorney chose not to pursue prosecution. Allegations indicated Doring was simply documenting the arrest.
Bederow remains hopeful for compensation for Doring despite the case being dropped, asserting that “all options are on the table, including a lawsuit against the city and the NYPD for this intentional breach of Finn’s civil rights.”
