Florida

Miami Springs Police Sergeant Arrested on Federal Corruption Charge

A Miami Springs Police officer is facing a corruption charge following an FBI investigation, officials said.

Sgt. Andres Quintanilla was arrested and charged Tuesday with attempting to affect commerce by extortion under color of official right, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.

Quintanilla turned himself in to the FBI. It was unknown if he has an attorney.

Authorities said an FBI confidential source told Quintanilla in September 2014 that he was a drug trafficker, and that rather than turn him in, Quintanilla offered to help him in the drug trafficking business.

Quintanilla allegedly offered advice on how to traffic drugs, gave the source the location of an unmarked Miami-Dade Police narcotics office and provided names of Miami-Dade Police officers, authorities said. He also promised photos of officers and ran the name of a drug dealer in a law enforcement database, authorities said.

According to authorities, Quintanilla agreed to act as an escort during a cocaine deal worth $250,000 in exchange for $3,500. He participated in the transaction in uniform while driving his marked Miami Springs Police car, authorities said.

Miami Springs Police officials said Quintanilla has been relieved of duty without pay pending the results of the criminal case.

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