Keys Deputy Faces Drug Charges
BIG PINE KEY CBSMiami) – A Monroe County sheriff's deputy was arrested by members of his own department after he allegedly tried to buy drugs while on duty.
Deputy Jaime Miranda, 30, reportedly met with a person working with the department Saturday, around 6:30 p.m., at the Winn Dixie shopping center on Big Pine Key. Miranda was on duty and in a marked patrol car at the time of the meeting.
During the meeting, the person working undercover for the sheriff's office handed over 10 fake Oxycodone pills; Miranda agreed to pay him for the pills on Monday, according to the sheriff's office.
Shortly after the transaction took place, an investigator searched Miranda's patrol car and reportedly found 9 and one quarter of the fake pills, and a further 12 Hydromorphone pills in the glove compartment. A pipe was allegedly found in Miranda's pants pocket with marijuana residue in it.
Miranda admitted to ingesting part of one of the pills right after the transaction took place, according to the sheriff's office. He also reportedly admitted to taking the Hydromorphone pills from his aunt's residence without her permission.
Miranda was charged with conspiracy to purchase narcotics, possession of synthetic narcotics, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia.
An internal investigation into his actions is pending. Miranda, who has been suspended without pay, has been with the sheriff's office since 2008.
