Miami Cop Arrested For Helping, Protecting Drug Dealers
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A Miami police officer has been arrested after his own department says it caught him taking money to be a drug dealer's hired muscle.
Officer Jose Maldonado Dick has been arrested and charged with eight felony charges, including two counts of armed trafficking in cocaine and two counts of official misconduct by a public servant.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office showed photos of what it claims show Officer Maldonado Dick with a wad of cash in his hand, after taking money from a drug dealer.
Maldonado Dick allegedly offered to serve as the drug dealer's protection while he sold cocaine in a McDonald's parking lot near Midtown Miami.
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"He said, 'You're going to have a drug deal. I'm going to protect you, Mr. A, and when you go and do your drug transaction, with drug dealer "B," I will be there,'" said Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade State Attorney.
Maldonado Dick has been an officer with the City of Miami for seven years. He patrolled the Wynwood area of the city.
Police say that is where the first incident happened on October 3. A police confidential informant sold cocaine at a fast-food restaurant while Maldonado Dick kept watch.
An arrest warrant says Maldonado Dick was on duty, in his marked police car and carrying his department-issued weapon that day. The warrant says he was paid $900 for his protection a few days later.
Shortly after they announced his arrest, the Miami Fraternal Order of Police President Sergeant Javier Ortiz, issued a statement saying, "As law enforcement officers, we understand the need for having high expectations when it comes to our morals and values. We have the incredible responsibility in which we can take away someone's freedom as well the authority to use deadly force. Our community rightfully demands that we uphold the law as well as resist the temptation of abusing our position as law enforcement officers. If the charges are true against Officer Maldonado, we support that he is held accountable for his actions. However, we also believe that all individuals accused of a crime are innocent until proven guilty. We ask for the community to keep our police force in your prayers while this case is processed through the criminal justice system."
Maldonado Dick's own department was involved in the sting to catch him, said Miami Chief of Police, Manuel Orosa.
"We can show our citizens that our good police officers are doing what they have to clean our ranks of whatever corruption we may have in our police department," he said. "One of our own has tarnished his badge for a little amount of money. He's probably going to be spending the rest of his time in jail."
Police say they caught him a second time, keeping watch at the same location while seven kilos of cocaine were sold on October 16. Maldonado Dick was paid $1,000 that time.
He now faces eight felony charges.
Maldonado Dick is in jail now. He could spend the rest of his life in prison if found guilty of the charges. Authorities also shared that Maldonado Dick lives in Broward County and is married with two children.
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