Former Biscayne Park Police Officer Enters Guilty Plea

MIAIMI, FL — A former Biscayne Park police officer pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to charges that he abused his authority in three separate incidents. Thirty-seven-year-0ld Guillermo Ravelo of Miami was charged with depriving persons of their civil rights and deprivation of civil rights under color of law. Ravelo faces up to 10 years in prison.

The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg for the Southern District of Florida, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Special Agent In Charge Robert F. Lasky of the FBI Miami Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Troy Walker of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

In addition to the possible jail sentence, Ravelo also faces three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled to take place at 9 a.m. Oct. 4 before U.S. District Court Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga in Miami.

Ravelo allegedly struck the driver of a vehicle involved in an April 7, 2013 traffic stop while the driver was handcuffed, according to federal prosecutors. On Jan. 23, 2013 and Feb. 26, 2014 "at the direction of a Biscayne Park Police Department supervisor, Ravelo falsely arrested a victim identified as 'C.D.' and another victim identified as 'E.B.' C.D. was charged with two residential burglaries, and E.B. was charged with five vehicle burglaries, despite the supervisor and Ravelo knowing that no evidence existed linking either of the victims to these crimes," federal prosecutors explained.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry C. Wallace, Jr.. U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorney Donald W. Tunnage and Assistant State Attorney Trent Reichling.

Photo of the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Federal Courthouse by Paul Scicchitano