A former chief of police in Florida has been found guilty of conspiring with other officers to make false arrests.
Raimundo Atesiano, the former head of the Biscayne Park Police Department, pleaded guilty in federal court to violating individuals’ civil rights by ordering false arrests for unsolved burglaries.
According to court documents, Atesiano instructed officers to arrest individuals without a legal basis to create a 100% clearance rate for burglaries in the village.
Guillermo Ravelo, a former Biscayne Park officer, and Charlie Dayoub and Raul Fernandez, two other former officers, have also pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy.
Atesiano is scheduled to be sentenced on November 27, while Ravelo, Dayoub, and Fernandez are set to be sentenced on October 4 and October 16, respectively.
The case is a stark reminder of the importance of police accountability and the need for law enforcement officers to uphold the law and protect the public’s trust.
The right to be free from false arrests is a fundamental aspect of our Constitution and system of justice, said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore.
Law enforcement officers who abuse their authority and deny individuals this right will be held accountable, he added.
The case is a betrayal of the public’s trust and a deliberate injustice to intentionally charge and arrest an innocent man, said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle.
Raimundo Atesiano’s actions were intended to give his community a false sense of security, she said.
The case highlights the need for law enforcement officers to be held to a high standard and to uphold the law and protect the public’s trust.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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