BROOKLYN, New York - October 26, 2008 - The man who claims he was sexually assaulted by police spoke out publicly for the first time Saturday, as the Brooklyn district attorney asked for witnesses to come forward in connection with the case.

Michael Mineo, 24, spoke Saturday from his bed at the Brooklyn Hospital Center.

He claims five officers beat him and sodomized him with a police radio antenna at the Prospect Park subway station on October 15th.

Mineo's attorneys say medical records show he was diagnosed as suffering an anal assault.

When asked how he felt, Mineo became emotional.

"How do you think I'm supposed to feel? I was violated," he said in between sobs.

The five officers, who remain on active duty, say they grappled with Mineo after they caught him smoking marijuana and he resisted arrest.

The Brooklyn District Attorney and the New York Police Department are investigating. But the department has denied Mineo's claims, which officials say are not supported by civilian witnesses at the scene.

Reverend Al Sharpton says Mineo's claims cannot be easily dismissed.

"I think this warrants a fair and objective investigation. Not the dismissal by police saying nothing happened," said Sharpton. "Obviously something happened and it should be fairly investigated to see what that is."

Any witnesses are being asked to call the Brooklyn District Attorney's office at (718) 250-2759.