Jerry Sutherland, 28, of Miami-Dade County, Florida, a former officer with the City of Miami Police Department, was charged today with two counts of extortion.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Miami Field Office, Rodolfo Llanes, Chief, City of Miami Police Department, made the announcement.

As alleged in the Information:

On or about January 28, 2014, Sutherland knowingly and unlawfully attempted to obstruct, delay and affect commerce through extortion by agreeing to protect and facilitate an illegal gambling operation in exchange for the receipt of cash payments.

The Information further alleges that on or about July 15, 2014, Officer Sutherland knowingly and unlawfully attempted to obstruct, delay and affect commerce through extortion by agreeing to facilitate the theft of proceeds from an illegal gambling operation in exchange for the receipt of cash payments.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI Miami Area Corruption Task Force and the City of Miami Police Department Internal Affairs Section. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry C. Wallace, Jr.

An indictment or information contains mere allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.