MIAMI – A Miami-Dade police officer is accused of helping smuggle firearms to the Dominican Republic.
Michael Freshko, 48, made his first appearance Tuesday in federal court before U.S. Magistrate William C. Turnoff.
According to prosecutors, Freshko used his position as a police officer to transport the firearms past the passenger screening area at Miami International Airport and into an area that housed the departure gates, where he passed off the weapons to a co-conspirator.
Prosecutors said the accomplice stored the firearms in carry-on baggage and gave the weapons to a third person when the accomplice arrived in the Dominican Republic on a commercial flight.
Authorities said at least one gun was smuggled into the Dominican Republic on Oct. 5, 2012, and multiple firearms were smuggled in on Dec. 7, 2012.
Prosecutors believe that Freshko and his co-conspirators smuggled six firearms from Miami International Airport to the Dominican Republic, including four Glock .9 mm pistols, one Sig Sauer .9 mm pistol and one Sig Sauer 5.56 rifle.
Freshko was relieved of duty by the Miami-Dade Police Department on Dec. 7, 2015.
"Integrity is the hallmark of the Miami-Dade Police Department as evidenced by our collaboration in this investigation," Miami-Dade police Director Juan Perez said in a statement. "We are committed to the highest performance standards and ethical conduct, thus anyone who blemishes our badge will be held accountable for their actions."
Freshko was hired by the Police Department in September 2004 and was most recently assigned to the Airport District.