Three Defendants Plead Guilty to Theft of Government Funds

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Jeffrey C. Mazanec, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and Manuel Orosa, Chief, City of Miami Police Department, announce that defendants Chante Sweet, 35, of Miami, Simone West, 22, of Hollywood, and Ashley Rolle, 27, of St. Petersburg, Florida, pled guilty on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 to theft of money from a government program, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(A).

During the change of plea hearing, Chante Sweet, an employee of the city of Miami Neighborhood Enhancement Team from 2007 through 2009, admitted to stealing approximately $21,932.43 in federal grant money from the city of Miami that was designated for the Miami ACES program, a program designed to advise members of the community about hurricane and emergency preparedness. Sweet admitted to issuing checks to Simone West and Ashley Rolle from the Miami ACES program even though West and Rolle performed no work for the program. West and Rolle cashed the checks and shared the money with Sweet. During the plea, West and Rolle admitted to their role in the scheme, with West acknowledging that she cashed approximately $9,799 in checks, and Rolle admitted that she cashed approximately $9,603 in checks for work that neither of them performed.

The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on September 26, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Marcia G. Cooke.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, the FBI’s Miami Area Public Corruption Task Force, and the City of Miami Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alejandro O. Soto and John P. Gonsoulin.

Former City of Miami Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement Scheme

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Richard Walker, Special Agent in Charge, United States Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations (DOL-OLRFI); and José A. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID), announced that Vernell Reynolds, a former city of Miami police officer and former president of the Miami Community Police Benevolent Association (MCPBA), pled guilty today to one count of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343; and to one count of tax fraud, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(1), on charges stemming from her embezzlement of MCPBA funds.

Sentencing has been scheduled for July 11, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Marcia C. Cooke. At sentencing, Reynolds faces a possible maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison for the wire fraud and three years in prison for the tax fraud.

On March 29, 2012, Reynolds was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and one count of filing a false tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1).

According to documents filed with the court and statements made during today’s guilty plea, the MCPBA is a private association of Miami law enforcement officers that operates in Miami-Dade County. To conduct its affairs, the MCPBA maintained two credit union accounts. The funds in the accounts were held in trust for the benefit of the MCPBA. Reynolds became the president of the MCPBA in early 2005 and soon thereafter was granted access to the MCPBA credit union accounts. In November 2007, Reynolds was issued an ATM/debit card that accessed the two MCPBA credit union accounts.

During the plea, Reynolds admitted that from at least September 20, 2008 through December 2009, she used MCPBA funds for her personal benefit. Reynolds also admitted that during this time frame, and on multiple occasions, Reynolds used the debit card to withdraw cash from the MCPBA accounts at various ATMs located in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. In addition, Reynolds directed the transfer of funds from the MCPBA credit union accounts into her personal credit union accounts. Reynolds also admitted that made certain fraudulent statements to effect her embezzlement.

Reynolds also admitted that in 2010, she filed a tax return with the IRS that under-reported her income, which resulted in a tax loss to the IRS. She also admitted she filed the return under oath stating that it was true and correct.

In her signed plea agreement, Reynolds admitted to an abuse of trust and agreed to an order or restitution to the MCPBA in the amount of $210,664. Reynolds also agreed to surrender any and all licenses or certifications to be employed as a law enforcement officer to the appropriate licensing authority. She also agreed to cooperate with the IRS to address her tax liability.

Mr. Ferrer commends the investigative efforts of the FBI, the DOL-OLRFI, and IRS-CID. Additionally, Mr. Ferrer thanks the city of Miami Police Department Internal Affairs Section-Anti-Corruption Unit for their significant work on this matter and for their full cooperation throughout the investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared E. Dwyer.

Sentencing of Former City of Miami Police Officer

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office; and Miguel A. Exposito, Chief, City of Miami Police Department, announced that former City of Miami Police Officer Charley Braynen was sentenced today on two charges of extortion under color of law, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a) for his actions in accepting payments of goods for providing an individual a false police report, and then for providing protection for what was represented to be a delivery of stolen property. Braynen previously pled guilty to these charges, which arose from an undercover investigation jointly conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the City of Miami Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit.

In a morning hearing in Miami, Judge Marcia G. Cooke sentenced Braynen to six months in prison, to be followed by six months of home detention and an additional 18 months of supervised release. Braynen was also fined $3000 and ordered to forfeit to the government the payments he had received for providing his illegal services.

As shown in the guilty plea and sentencing proceedings, during 2010, Braynen, a 14-year veteran of the City of Miami Police Department, used his police position to provide an associate with a variety of illegal services, including providing a false police traffic accident report to be used in filing a false insurance claim, and providing protection to that individual while they were receiving what were represented to be deliveries of stolen property for resale. The stolen property supposedly being delivered included iPhones and other electronics. In exchange for his illegal services, Braynen was paid with variety of merchandise including a number of iPhones which were purportedly stolen.

Mr. Ferrer commended the dedicated work of the agents and officers of the FBI and the City of Miami Police Department who were involved in this investigation and prosecution. The sentencing in this case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Stamm.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

1000 Police Officers

May 4, 2008 (San Dimas, CA) Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local police officers who have written books. The website welcomed its 1000th police officer: Chief Arnold A. Gibbs.

Chief Arnold Gibbs was born in the Bahamas and raised in Miami. Chief Arnold Gibbs has a BA from Barry University as well as a Master’s in Management from St. Thomas University. Chief Arnold Gibbs is a decorated US Army veteran, having served three years including a one-year tour in Vietnam. At the age of 22, he joined the Miami Police Department. During his law enforcement career with the Miami Police Department he earned the Miami Police Department Medal of Honor and rose to the rank of assistant chief. In 1994, he retired from the Miami Police Department and became the Chief of Police for the Cape Coral Police Department (Florida). He retired from the Cape Coral Police Department after ten years of service. Chief Arnold Gibbs is the author of The Ties That Blind and Where Are the Champions: A Simple Approach to Effective Criminal Justice and Social Reform.

According to the book description of The Ties That Blind, it “is quite appropriate to the time in consideration of the present growth of interest in religious and spiritual matters. Additionally, much of the story’s prophetic content is extremely relevant to the events of September 11, 2001, although the book was completed prior to that date. The author skillfully depicts the realities of racial prejudice; much of the violence being recounted from his experience, while driving home the point that love always conquers hate. It is a true inspiration to people of faith, criminal justice practitioners, and those who fight for racial equality and brotherly love.”

According to a reader of The Ties That Blind, “Arnold's portrayal of the pains of prejudice inflicted on the innocent broke my heart, but with each turn of the page he showed how love, honor and loyalty to one's beliefs can overcome even the most deeply imbedded hatred. A truly inspiring story you won't want to put down!”

Another reader said, “This was one of the most interesting and saddening depictions of race and prejudice in America. Nowhere has the truth been portrayed in a more realistic and sobering fashion. Arnold Gibbs captures the essence of the era, and reveals the truth about the hurt and pain of injustice. I would highly recommend this to student of justice, and American History.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 1000 police officers (representing 419 police departments) and their 2112 police books in 32 categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.

Public Safety Technology in the News

Hampshire Boosts Emergency Communications
The Courier News (03/08/08), Jeanie Mayer

To improve radio communication between various police and fire departments during an emergency, the village of Hampshire, Illinois, and the Hampshire Fire Protection District recently acquired two radio units capable of interfacing with the frequencies used by different departments. This technology will allow for improved coordination of emergency responder efforts.
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/villages/831317,3_6_EL08_RADIO_S1.article

In the Year 2028
The Corrections Connection (03/10/08), Ann Coppola

The Northeast Technology and Product Assessment Committee (NTPAC) recently held its spring meeting, the purpose of which was to investigate new technologies and scenarios that may impact the field of corrections. The meeting highlighted the importance and utility of strategic planning by using the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Forward Thinking Initiative to create and analyze the potential impact that future changes might have on the field. Four new technologies were highlighted at the event, including a pair of contraband detection devices. Attendees stressed the need to promote greater collaboration between the scientific and corrections communities as a means of improving facility safety.
www.corrections.com/news/article/17986

Law Expands Texas Inmates' Access to Phones
The Dallas Morning News, (03/10/2008), Diane Jennings

Moving away from the conventional view that all contact for prisoners should be cut off during incarceration, Texas is going to begin allowing inmates the opportunity for greater access to telephones. This policy shift comes because the new belief is that an inmate's connection to family can impact recidivism. To ensure that inmates do not misuse the privilege, phones calls will be monitored and be either prepaid or collect calls only to preapproved landline phone numbers associated with particular inmates. To help regulate phone use and ensure that inmates contact only numbers associated and approved for them, the system will use "biometric identifiers" such as fingerprints or voice recognition to identify inmates and access their lists of numbers.
www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-phones_10tex.ART.State.Ed! ition1.4660486.html

State and Local Police Unite To Share Information
The Frederick News-Post, (03/11/2008), Sarah Fortney

To better serve and protect the public, agencies are partnering up to boost information sharing and communication across all levels. Law enforcement leaders in the Western Maryland region announced their plans for the recently developed Western Maryland Information Center. The center, located in Frederick, Maryland, is a consortium of local, county, State, and Federal personnel that will capture criminal information for the region and use the information for analysis to identify trends and help reduce crime. This project will not result in additional costs to Frederick city or county residents, because staff will be paid by their respective agencies and equipment to this point has been donated.
www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=72291

LexisNexis Risk and Information Analytics Group Launches Solution for Law Enforcement to Proactively Monitor Sex Offenders Across Jurisdictions
LexisNexis, (03/11/2008), Business Wire

Law enforcement has a new tool that provides automated location information on sex offenders. In support of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act and law enforcement's efforts to enforce the law, the LexisNexis Risk and Information Analytics group developed and released Sex Offender Alert. The system provides law enforcement with location information on sex offenders, including transitions between jurisdictions. With the vast amount of known sex offenders in the United States, the daunting task of monitoring their location falls to law enforcement. Alerts will notify police when a sex offender enters into the jurisdiction, and find and locate both registered and nonregistered sex offenders. This technology will be of particular use to police departments during instances of large, rapid population shifts associated with natural disasters. This massive shift provides an advantaged to offenders because of the chaos associated with the upheaval.
www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080311005382&newsLang=en

Spy-in-the-Sky Drone Sets Sights on Miami
Reuters, (03/26/2008), Tom Brown

A small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufactured by Honeywell International may soon be in use by the Miami Police Department to help the department fight crime. The drones, capable of hovering and vertical take off and landing, will be used initially in the Everglades. If use of the drone is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after testing, it would then be deployed in the urban areas of the city. With interest by the law enforcement community growing, the FAA has been developing procedures for the use of UAVs by police departments. It is hoped that the procedures would help guard against, or reduce the likelihood of, accidents involving civilians.
uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUKN1929797920080326

Port Neches Joins Other Area Towns in Upgrading Law Enforcement Technology
The Enterprise, (03/22/2008), Dennis Kutac

Using 2006 Port Security Grant funding, Port Neches Police will be adding laptops, night vision, mobile video, and other high-tech equipment to its list of tools to help fight crime. The laptops will help reduce the time officers spend filling out reports or performing warrant checks. For officers on the street it will provide fast access to files on record from other agencies. This wireless accessibility can also help officers receive actual images of suspects versus relying on descriptions provided over the radio. The night vision equipment can be used by the various tactical teams in resolving hostage or barricade situations that may occur at night or during instances of limited visibility.
www.southeasttexaslive.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19414525&BRD=2287&PAG=461&dept_id=512588&rfi=6

Traffic Tickets To Go High-Tech
FBaltimore Sun, (03/21/2008), Tyeesha Dixon

Taking on average eight to 12 minutes to hand write a ticket will no longer be an issue for the Howard County Police Department. A $48,000 grant from the State has allowed the county to start purchasing the necessary equipment so that officers can issue electronic tickets. Prior to implementation, officers had to write out tickets for each offense relating to a traffic stop. The new system will capture drivers' information once from their licenses and generate citations accordingly. Additionally, the system can assist those receiving citations by reducing time spent on the roadside, and provide the individual with a citation that is easy to read.
www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.citations21mar21,0,2450463.story

Corruption, murder and tragedy

Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books added three police officers who have written books about corruption, murder and tragedy in American policing.

Antonio Bustillo is a former Miami Police Department police officer. His first novel, Renegade Crew, is based on the 1980s Miami Police Department corruption scandal often referred to as the Miami River Cops. According to one reader of his novel, “Books about cops are usually the same old re-hashed, ponderous stuff. Renegade Crew is the exception. It is fast-paced, action-packed and humorous all in one. The author allows the reader to feel empathy for any or none of the river cops in question. Whether you agree with how they went about arresting criminals or not, the story is different from any other cop book that is out there. Giving it even more credibility is the author who is a former police officer. "Renegade Crew" deserves five-stars. I did not want to put it down and I will be re-reading it again tonight. I'd like to read the sequel to see what ever happened to these guys. I wonder if they are swimming with the fish, yet?”

Antonio Bustillo’s second book is a Steady Training, and is “recommended for any karate enthusiast who wonders how to adapt his training to real fighting encounters. Bustillo’s advice: train realistically, keep in shape, and keep it simple.”

Lieutenant Nelson Andreu (retired) dedicated nearly his entire police career with the Miami Police Department to homicide and death-investigation cases. During his nearly 23-year tenure with Miami Police Department, Lieutenant Nelson Andreu spent over 21 years in the Homicide Unit. He investigated thousands of death cases ranging from routine natural deaths, accidental deaths, industrial deaths, murders and suicides, to his working on five separate serial killer investigations. His murder investigations culminated in 2002 with the conviction of Francisco Del Junco, a Miami serial killer who bludgeoned to death and then set fire to four women in South Florida.

According to the book description of Nelson Andreu’s Dead Read, “Detective Peter Copeland wakes up on the beach one morning with a killer headache and no clue how he came to be there. Before long, he discovers that the exotic redheaded stranger he met at a party the night before is washed up on the beach, dead. What's this? Another detective mystery? But finally, here's one that departs from the mold. "Dead Red" is based on first-hand knowledge of solving mysterious deaths, thanks to author Nelson Andreu's twenty-two years in Miami's Homicide Unit. Readers who are curious about the workings behind crime investigations finally get what they want: insight on the inner workings of homicide(extracting answers from a reluctant witness, capturing an elusive fingerprint, distilling evidence from a mutilated victim) woven within an intriguing plot. Of course, Detective Copeland uncovers the answer--but that answer is what every cop dreads.”

According to the Library Journal, “On a summer day in 1986 Steven McDonald, a New York Police Department police officer, was patrolling his Central Park beat when a teenager whom he approached shot him, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. This book, with its alternating voices, recounts how Steven and Patti Ann have survived the incident and its aftermath.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 383 police officers (representing 160 police departments) and their 833 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.