A former Miami-Dade police officer accused of lewd or lascivious battery of a child 12 to 16 has accepted a plea agreement that will keep him out of state prison.
On Tuesday, the 41-year-old former police officer pleaded guilty to six counts of lewd or lascivious battery that will have him serving two years of community control (house arrest) and seven years of probation.
The former Miami-Dade Police Officer was accused of molesting a 13-year-old girl, who was in his custody, at his home from 2007 to 2010.
As a consequence of this plea, the former officer will lose his state law enforcement credential and will never be able to be a police officer ever again, in any jurisidiction. The former officer will also become a registered sex offender.
Allegations of sexual abuse against children are the most serious criminal allegations a person can face. Just an accusation is enough to ruin your life. What's so troubling is that oftentimes, it takes very little evidence for somebody to be charged. Just a child's statement alone can be enough. While the law should do everything it can to protect children from sexual predators, I have seen many instances where children are coached by vindictive family members (especially when there are child custody issues present) to make heinous accusations.
Prosecutors and police tend to believe that children do not lie. If they find the child's story credible, then you will be charged. That's it.
Don't hope and pray that things will get better. If you find yourself charged with a sex crime, contact a criminal defense attorney. I represent clients in Miami-Dade and Broward and have had great success in representing clients charged with sex crimes. Ask me for specific details and case results.