Miami Police Sergeant Convicted of Civil Rights Violations, Narcotics Distribution Conspiracy, and Obstruction of Justice

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Michael B. Steinbach, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; and Manuel Orosa, Chief, City of Miami Police Department (MPD), announced the conviction of Raul Iglesias, 40, of Miami, Florida, a city of Miami Police sergeant, on eight counts, including two civil rights violations, conspiracy to possess and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, obstruction of justice, and making false official statements.

The defendant was found guilty by a jury after a two-week trial before United States District Judge Cecilia Altonaga. Sentencing has been scheduled for March 28, 2013. At sentencing, the defendant faces a maximum statutory sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer stated, “A law enforcement badge brings with it privileges and responsibilities. Although it bestows on the bearer the trust and respect of the community, the bearer is expected to preserve that trust through his actions: by following the law, doing what is right, and seeking to do justice. Sergeant Iglesias, unfortunately, did just the opposite: he broke the law by selling drugs, obstructed justice, and lied in official statements. My office, and the honest and dedicated men and women in law enforcement, have zero tolerance for such corruption.”

“We are pleased with the conviction of Raul Iglesias because his actions not only violated the law, they also undermined the public’s trust in law enforcement,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Steinbach of the Miami Division. “Iglesias was brought to justice in large part due to the dedication and commitment of the members of the Miami Area Corruption Task Force.”

According to the evidence presented at trial, Iglesias, in his capacity as a supervisor of an anti-narcotics unit in the city of Miami Police Department, planted cocaine on a subject, stole drugs and money from other subjects, obstructed justice, and made false statements to federal investigators.

The prosecution was the result of a joint investigation by the city of Miami Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit and the FBI’s Public Corruption Squad. Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the city of Miami Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ricardo Del Toro and Michael Berger.

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.