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Miami Gardens Officer Arrested on Felony Domestic Violence and Firearm Charges

The arrest begins a criminal prosecution and has prompted an internal review at the Miami Gardens Police Department.

Overview

  • Investigators say the officer threatened a woman with a handgun and then grabbed and choked her during a July encounter, according to an arrest report and court filings.
  • Prosecutors told a judge that charges include aggravated assault with a deadly firearm, use of a firearm during a felony, tampering with a victim, improper exhibition of a weapon, violating a domestic violence injunction and domestic battery.
  • The officer voluntarily surrendered to Opa-locka police and was taken into custody without incident, and a judge set bond at $6,000 after a first court appearance.
  • The Miami Gardens Police Department relieved the officer of duty and ordered him to turn in his department-issued firearm and badge while the criminal case and internal review proceed.
  • Prosecutors allege the officer contacted the victim after a temporary stay-away order was issued and asked her to recant, an allegation that adds potential witness-tampering exposure and will be part of the ongoing prosecution.