Three Miami Police Officers, Cocaine Trafficking, Florida 2018

Three Miami Police Officers Charged in Cocaine Trafficking Ring

MIAMI, FL - In a shocking case of police corruption, three City of Miami Police Department officers have been charged with federal drug trafficking offenses in Florida. Schonton Harris, Kelvin Harris, and James Archibald were arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute it, and attempting to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute it.

According to the indictment, the officers were involved in a scheme to possess with intent to distribute cocaine from August 2018 to approximately October 23, 2018. On September 13, 2018, Officers Schonton Harris and Kelvin Harris allegedly attempted to possess 500 grams or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute it. Additionally, on September 28 and October 11, 2018, Officers Schonton Harris, Kelvin Harris, and James Archibald allegedly attempted to possess with the intent to distribute 5 or more kilograms of cocaine.

U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan commends the investigative efforts of the FBI, the FBI Miami Area Corruption Task Force, and MPD in this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry Wallace and Jessica Obenauf.

The indictment alleges that the officers' actions were in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2. If convicted, the defendants each face life in prison and a mandatory-minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

It is worth noting that an indictment is a charging instrument containing allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant: Schonton Harris, Kelvin Harris, and James Archibald. Exact charges: Conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute it, and attempting to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute it. City and state: Miami, Florida. Exact date: August 2018 to October 23, 2018. Sentence or outcome: Life in prison and a mandatory-minimum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/indictment-charges-three-city-miami-police-department-officers-federal-drug-trafficking