Ten former Miami-Dade police officers have found themselves embroiled in a federal extortion case, accused of providing under-the-table service details to an illegal gambling operation, among other crimes. ![brownenvelopmoneybribe2.jpg]()
One of those officers was also recently convicted for drug conspiracy and civil rights violations for reportedly stealing drugs and money from street dealers and lying to federal investigators about it.
Our Miami federal criminal defense attorneys know that the prosecution of officers is relatively rare. However, when it happens, they tend to be judged harshly, both by the public and the jury. They mayor told reporters the cases were part of an ongoing "cleansing" of the entire agency.
As individuals who are familiar with the law, they know that such serious charges can't be left to chance with an inexperienced attorney. While police officers (and other civil servants) facing criminal charges are sometimes represented by union attorneys, those facing more egregious allegations often opt to hire someone in private practice.
One of those veteran officers was charged with a single count of extortion conspiracy, which carries a maximum of 20 years behind bars. He has thus far pleaded not guilty.
The 41-year-old is accused of working to arrange police protection of an illegal sports-betting ring that was operating out of a now-shuttered barber shop. Prosecutors say he and other officers worked off-the-books details at the shop in exchange for cash. This officer alone was reportedly paid a total of $5,000, which the government has initiated efforts to seize.
He was released on $100,000 bond.
So far, seven out of the 10 officers under investigation has resigned or been fired in the past several weeks. The other three - including the 41-year-old officer's girlfriend - are under intense scrutiny from the agency, but as of yet have not been arrested and continue to be on paid leave from their duties.
All of those individuals worked out of the Model City substation. It's believed by investigators that a 31-year-old female officer was the one to set up the operation, while the 41-year-old later stepped in to manage it.
The whole thing was shut down last spring, which was when federal authorities moved into investigate alongside the agency's internal affairs unit. Prosecutors say it is probable that more arrests will be made in the coming weeks.
Contrary to the Hollywood image of extortion conspiracy, the law does not require that it be carried out by force or threat or even that any money actually exchange hands. In this case, the type of extortion is known as extortion under color of official right. It is defined under 18 U.S.C. 1951, under the Hobbs Act. Basically, it is the wrongful taking of either property or money by a public officer when the items of value were not due him or his office.
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One of those officers was also recently convicted for drug conspiracy and civil rights violations for reportedly stealing drugs and money from street dealers and lying to federal investigators about it.
Our Miami federal criminal defense attorneys know that the prosecution of officers is relatively rare. However, when it happens, they tend to be judged harshly, both by the public and the jury. They mayor told reporters the cases were part of an ongoing "cleansing" of the entire agency.
As individuals who are familiar with the law, they know that such serious charges can't be left to chance with an inexperienced attorney. While police officers (and other civil servants) facing criminal charges are sometimes represented by union attorneys, those facing more egregious allegations often opt to hire someone in private practice.
One of those veteran officers was charged with a single count of extortion conspiracy, which carries a maximum of 20 years behind bars. He has thus far pleaded not guilty.
The 41-year-old is accused of working to arrange police protection of an illegal sports-betting ring that was operating out of a now-shuttered barber shop. Prosecutors say he and other officers worked off-the-books details at the shop in exchange for cash. This officer alone was reportedly paid a total of $5,000, which the government has initiated efforts to seize.
He was released on $100,000 bond.
So far, seven out of the 10 officers under investigation has resigned or been fired in the past several weeks. The other three - including the 41-year-old officer's girlfriend - are under intense scrutiny from the agency, but as of yet have not been arrested and continue to be on paid leave from their duties.
All of those individuals worked out of the Model City substation. It's believed by investigators that a 31-year-old female officer was the one to set up the operation, while the 41-year-old later stepped in to manage it.
The whole thing was shut down last spring, which was when federal authorities moved into investigate alongside the agency's internal affairs unit. Prosecutors say it is probable that more arrests will be made in the coming weeks.
Contrary to the Hollywood image of extortion conspiracy, the law does not require that it be carried out by force or threat or even that any money actually exchange hands. In this case, the type of extortion is known as extortion under color of official right. It is defined under 18 U.S.C. 1951, under the Hobbs Act. Basically, it is the wrongful taking of either property or money by a public officer when the items of value were not due him or his office.