MIAMI – A former Miami police officer has been charged with two counts of extortion.
Wilfredo Ferrer, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, the FBI and Miami police Chief Rodolfo Llanes made the announcement Monday.
A federal indictment alleges that Jerry Sutherland, 28, agreed to protect and facilitate an illegal gambling operation in exchange for receiving cash payments.
READ: General Allegations Against Jerry Sutherland
Sutherland is alleged to have done so on two occasions last year -- once in January and once in July.
"I am disappointed and disheartened that Officer Jerry Sutherland has been arrested today by the FBI," Llanes said in a statement Monday.
Llanes went on to say he "will not tolerate any conduct that discredits this organization. Any time a law enforcement officer is accused of tarnishing the badge, it is an embarrassment to all the honest, hard-working members of this profession who work, day in and day out, to protect and serve with integrity. The allegations surrounding Mr. Sutherland are in no way a reflection of the hard-working men and women of the Miami Police Department."
Sutherland faces up to 20 years in prison on each count if convicted.
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