Any Miami/Dade area DUers who know anything about this corrupt cop story?

[Generic Other]

"...Police Officer Daniel Fernandez, a highly decorated Miami Dade Police Narcotics officer. He was one of two officers arrested 3½ years ago on alleged charges of armed kidnapping and armed burglary, which if falsely convicted could put him behind bars for life."

My niece who is dating a close family member sent me this petition and begged me to sign it. I was taken by surprise by the serious nature of the allegations. I figured someone on DU might might shed more light on the story. Is this an innocent man falsely accused or a corrupt cop?

Here's the petition with a newsclip from a local TV station if anyone would like to sign it.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/give-officer-daniel-fernandez-his-life-back

The only news story I could find. It sounded bad.
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2006-04-20/news/jump-out-boys/1

Thanks for any responses.

[Marksbrother]

1. I'm in no position to judge, but I would remind you ...

of the saying that a cop is thug with a badge.


Police: N., armed force for protection and participation.

[Generic Other]

2. I prefer to judge each man by his character not a generalization

I don't think it is fair to say every cop is a thug just because some might be.

[cabezon2004]

8. Police Officer Daniel F Fernandez

Many Police Officers including Officer Daniel F Fernandez
serve and protect their communities,work long hours and put
themselves in arms way. Officer Fernandez was shot in the line
of duty in 2003.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

3. The marked bills tell the story -

these guys were bad actors.............

[Generic Other]

5. They didn't find the money on Fernandez

I am not defending him, but I am not sure what evidence links him to the crime other than being there when the other guy took money.

And why didn't he just agree to turn in his badge instead of face trial? That doesn't necessarily sound like the action of a guilty man.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

7. I didn't mean Fernandez,

not in regard to that specific incident, but there appears a pattern of rogue behavior that's damning.

Your question, about why not just quit and start a new life, doesn't compute for guys like Fernandez. His macho persona is what he is and he'll face down anyone if he has to to prove himself. Guilt and/or innocence have nothing to do with anything else. They're just so used to getting their way - the power of the gun and the badge - that they don't know any other way.

What has it taken 3-1/2 years to bring them to trial? There's a question to be answered before you sign any petition (which won't mean anything, anyway - these petitions never do).

Tom DeLay is taking about the same amount of time to come to trial.

That whole thing is an awful, awful story, but I'm surprised there aren't more like it. Greed is a powerful incentive ....................

[cabezon2004]

9. Police Officer Daniel F Fernandez

There was "no money" found on Officer Daniel
Fernandez that is a fact. There was money found on the vehicle
assigned to Detective Ivan Villalobos, why was he not
arrested? There was money found on Joe Losada. Rocks of crack
cocaine were found in the yard of the house were Pedro Soler
was arrested not in Pedro Soler's pockets.
The Crack cocaine was found by officer Jorge de Armas, he was
not arrested and no one was charged with "planting
evidence." Major Donald Rifkin in charge of internal
affairs at the time of Officer Daniel Fernandez's arrest told
the newspapers "drugs were found at the scene.
Please let the Truth come out so justice can be served.

[Tempest]

4. It looks damning

Internal affairs set up a fake dope hole at one of the rental properties owned by Rodriguez and placed Soler at the scene. Trujillo planted $970 in marked bills inside the house. Hidden cameras set up by internal affairs capture Fernandez confiscating the marked money after the team arrested Soler on the afternoon of January 12. When they arrived back at their station, the two officers turned in only $570. Losada was apprehended with $160 of the marked money in his pocket. Another $200 was found in the visor of the county-issued unmarked truck driven by Losada's sometime partner Ivan Villalobos.

Fernandez and Losada also planted five rocks on Soler and made false statements on his arrest affidavit, Trujillo said.

[cabezon2004]

11. Police Officer Daniel F Fernandez

When you are dealing with a man's life, reputation, his family
and his ability to earn a living; we owe it to him and
ourselves to know the facts. Officer Fernandez and Losada did
not turn in money into evidence. Officer Losada turned in the
money. Crack cocaine rocks were not found in Pedro Soler's
pockets. If any officer from IA has made that
"statement" including Trujillo, they are
lying.Sooner or later their testimonies will be impeached. 
 

[Clovis Sangrail]

6. they look pretty guilty to me

they might be able to poke some holes in the case against them and maybe even skate on some stuff .. but Fernandez and Losada (and likely others in their squad) look like the type of cops that should be very publicly pilloried.

[cabezon2004]

10. Police Officer Daniel F Fernandez

One million dollar bond, 18 months of house arrest, loss of
income, reputation destroyed and mounting debt to keep his
kids in college and hold on to his home.
Why? Why was he arrested? What did he take? and who did he
kidnapped?
Look at the accusers; these citizens have more than 20 arrests
to their credit.Since when do we go after a public servant
like Officer Daniel F Fernandez on criminals "say so
" without evidence.
This is The United States of America, not some Banana
Republic. Where is the evidence?
Let this man have his life back.