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A Miami police sergeant who authorities say planted cocaine on a suspect and stole drugs and money from dealers has been convicted of civil rights violations, narcotics distribution conspiracy and obstruction of justice, the United States Attorney's Office said Friday.
Raul Iglesias, 40, who was with the Miami Police Department for 18 years, was found guilty by a jury after a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga, the Attorney's Office said.
"A law enforcement badge brings with it privileges and responsibilities," U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer said in a statement. "Although it bestows on the bearer the trust and respect of the community, the bearer is expected to preserve that trust through his actions: by following the law, doing what is right, and seeking to do justice."
Ferrer said that Iglesias "did just the opposite: he broke the law by planting drugs on a private citizen, distributing drugs, obstructing justice, and making false statements."
Iglesias ran the Central District's Crime Suppression unit, which targeted drug traffickers. Rick Diaz, the attorney who represented Iglesias, had defended his client, accusing undercover detectives and FBI agents of setting up Iglesias by planting incriminating evidence on him in a sting.
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An indictment cited at least four dates when Iglesias allegedly stole or planted drugs, or lied to investigators. One date was Jan. 27, 2010, when Iglesias allegedly ordered two of his officers to search a man, and when no drugs were found, Iglesias allegedly asked his officers for some "throw-down dope" to plant on the man.
Iglesias was convicted of eight counts, including two civil rights violations, conspiracy to possess and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, obstruction of justice and making false official statements, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Iglesias' sentencing is scheduled for March 28. He faces a maximum of up to 20 years in prison.
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This does suck, we all agree. But for every Raul out there there are 100 good guys that put their life on the line every day. Just picture a society without their help, pure anarchy and most of us would be road kill......just saying, put it in perspective
I doubt it. I would say that maybe 1 out of 10 is honest, and that's from having once worked in law enforcement.
Orando--Florida--a city of illegals and direlects---But I did enjoy the swimming in the cool water of Sand Lake---now all condos--You can smell Orlando all the way to Titusville
I'm Shocked! Shocked to find their is corruption in the Miami (FL) Police Department.
The Innocence Project has estimated that anywhere from 10 to 30% of those incarcerated are innocence and either there on trumped up evidence or forced to take a plea by way of coerced confession or threat of execution or excessive sentence. Reform of the Criminal Justice system in America is sorely needed, because on;y the rich who can afford to fight a corrupt justice system are the ones who receive fair trials.
DO NOT TRUST YOUR GOVERMENT---- They want your kids to go to a foreign country to fight some peasants---and when the war is over--what is left of the peasants will come to America and take your jobs--My sisters husband--Bobby was killed in Viet Nam--drafted--he was 22-years old--farm boy--Hardee County--Florida--Delorse had to raise two boys by her self--as Delorse said --Bobby was killed so the people from Viet Nam could come to America and open up nail shops and the Viets hate Americans--Now we have Americans dying--kileed by illegal Mexicans---sad
Notice how the legislatures in that state fail to make laws specific to this type of behavior. In sane and fair-minded societies laws are established to expressly prevent and penalize people in authority from abusing citizens and their authority. They are afraid it may come back to bite them; but, then, individuals with a clear conscience would not fear that repercussion at all.
Miami, Chicago, New York, LA, New Orleans, St Louis, Philly, etc, etc. Crooked cops are everywhere it seems.They give a bad name to the 99% of honest, hard working cops who face danger and death on every shift, to keep the rest of us safe if possible.
as a old retired cop this is despicable and not the norm
Dear
rep………….after speaking to you about my idea about the Proposed
Legislation: To Amend the rule of
"high risk safety sensitive occupation" and/or under the
"special need" rule as in the case of Skinner v. Railway Labor
Executives’Assn., 489 U.S. 602 (1989), to require alcohol and random drug
testing of all state troopers and police officers, including for anabolic
steroid use. Just as any other public service driver, such as a taxi driver or
lawn mower operator, using the rules of the Department of Transportation is
tested. Statement
of Purpose: To ensure the safety of
both police officers and the citizens of Connecticut. 1) They drive for a Public Service [note]; most that drive for a Public
Service entity must partake in random drug testing therefore police should do
so. D.O.T. employees get randomly drug tested partially for the purpose of they
are in or close to highway traffic while being on the job. Most police are too.
Taxi and chauffer drivers get randomly tested police are in this category too. 2) They carry loaded guns. 3) They have the option to drive faster
than most, it’s part of the job sometime. 4) They have power of arrest. 5) They are upholding the law. 6) Many work double shifts. 7) They must be alert and made sure they
are in the proper state of mind at all times during to what could be a
dangerous job. police must be drug tested manuly if not they are above the law
This is why we need the right to bear arms. The police are supposed to protect us. I'm afraid this protection has turned to prosecution. I no longer trust the police as far as I can spit. They totally disregard the law while doing their job and in private life. They drive drunk, do drugs, and throw their weight around just because they can. I was falsely arrested. Sure the judge threw the case out at the preliminary hearing, but I still had to pay $10,000 in bond and $2,000 for an attorney. I can't sue for false arrest. (there is a law against it) I will file a complaint, that will be reviewed by another police officer and filed away.
The law says it's ok for police to break the law to catch someone breaking the law. This country has gotten off the track. I'm thinking of moving to another country........