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Former Hialeah Police Chief Sergio Velazquez arrested
- Sergio Velazquez, who led the Hialeah Police Department from 2012 to 2021, was taken into custody on Monday in Hialeah, Florida, and now faces multiple felony charges including grand theft, money laundering, and organized fraud.
- The arrest came after a lengthy investigation by state law enforcement authorities, prompted by concerns over missing narcotics funds during Velazquez’s time as police chief from 2012 to 2021.
- FDLE found Velazquez siphoned at least $600,000 in cash, structured deposits to avoid detection, and used the funds to buy luxury goods including over $300,000 in Rolex watches and designer brands.
- FDLE Special Agent John Vecchio stated that Velazquez breached the ethical standards and responsibilities associated with his role as police chief, amid ongoing concerns over missing funds from civil asset forfeiture accounts.
- The case underscores concerns about misuse of civil asset forfeiture funds and prompted calls for transparency and accountability in Hialeah’s police department and other agencies.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Sergio Velázquez, former director of the Hialeah Police Department, was arrested and charged with organized fraud and major theft.
Ex-Hialeah police chief arrested for skimming at least $600,000 in cash from drug funds
The former police chief of Hialeah, Florida, was arrested Monday for allegedly defrauding the city after a state law enforcement investigation uncovered millions in missing cash from the department's narcotics unit. Sergio Velazquez, the police chief of Hialeah from 2012 until 2021, is facing felony charges of grand theft, organized fraud, and structuring bank deposits to evade reporting requirements. Prosecutors allege he siphoned off at least …
Ex-Police Chief Accused Of Stealing Millions Of Dollars From Miami Police Investigatons To Buy Luxury Rolex Watches
A former Hialeah police chief is under criminal investigation. On Monday, Katherine Fernandez Rundle ordered the arrest of Sergio Velazquez, who served as chief of the Hialeah Police Department from 2012 until 2021. Fernandez said Velazquez will be charged with structuring, grand theft, and an organized scheme to defraud after allegedly stealing millions of dollars of department money to buy luxury watches. Via WSVN 7 “Our investigation revealed…
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