Give Officer Daniel Fernandez his life back

When a Police Officer is falsely accused and arrested, who is there to protect and serve him?

Is our community being served? I urge you to view the following video:

 http://www.justnews.com/video/19391112/?taf=mia

Our local channel 10 news (WPLG) recently ran a story about Police Officer Daniel Fernandez, a highly decorated Miami Dade Police Narcotics officer. He was one of two officers arrested 3½ years ago on alleged charges of armed kidnapping and armed burglary, which if falsely convicted could put him behind bars for life.

Internal Affairs was suspicious of the detectives assigned to the Miami Dade Police Department north side District Crime Suppression Team (CST).The CST was supervised by Sgt Joe Williams. The CST was under suspicion for not reporting all of the currency they seized in drug related investigations. Internal Affairs recruited a career criminal, Pedro Soler (see Soler's criminal record here DOB 09/18/1971). Pedro Soler has been convicted of drug charges seven times, and is CURRENTLY awaiting trial for cocaine possession. Pedro Soler was arrested nine times in the last three years. Pedro Soler was instructed by Internal Affairs to set up the officers assigned to Sgt Williams in a sting operation. Pedro Soler is not a credible witness in an investigation involving Public Law Enforcement Officials. Internal Affairs and the Prosecutors formulated a Substantial Assistance Agreement with Pedro Soler.

Detective Robert Trujillo, the lead Detective, positioned marked bills (US currency) in a drug house with the hopes that the undercover detectives would take the marked bills (US currency). At the conclusion of the IA sting, Internal Affairs found four hundred dollars of the planted money that was not turned in by the detectives. Officer Daniel Fernandez was NOT found in possession of ANY of the marked bills (evidence), yet he was arrested and charged.

The other officer being charged in this case; Officer Jose Losada WAS found in possession of some of the marked bills and the rest of the bills were recovered by Internal Affairs. The other missing marked bills were located in a pick up truck assigned to Officer Ivan Villalobos. Detective Ivan Villalobos, was NOT arrested or charged in this investigation and has since resigned from the Miami-Dade Police Dept.

To make matters worse for our community the State Attorney's Office (11th district court,) based ONLY on the arrest of Officer Daniel Fernandez, elected to drop more than 50 cases against reputed drug dealers that Officer Daniel Fernandez arrested who were awaiting trial.

Major Donald Rifkin was the head of Internal Affairs at the time of Officer Daniel Fernandez's arrest. Major Rifkin was recently demoted to Captain for alleged sexual misconduct. The State Attorneys office did not drop any pending cases under investigation involving Major Donald Rifkin, the head of internal affairs. Major Rifkin was investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office. Major Rifkin was accused by another Police Officer; Major Carmen Pichardo, of allegedly seeking sexual favors in exchange for information pertaining to her ongoing internal affairs investigation. Major Carmen Pichardo was under investigation for aggravated assault (domestic) on her husband, Major Richard Pichardo. Major Carmen Pichardo was demoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Major Richard Pichardo while under investigation for using steroids, battery on his wife(domestic) and forgery was still allowed to retire and collect his pension. He was not charged or arrested.

Detective Fernandez is still awaiting a trial date in November 2009. This tentative trial date brings this investigation to almost 4 years. The president of the Police Benevolent Association, John Rivera believes the prosecution won't admit they have serious problems with the investigation because of the time and money invested to date with no evidence against Officer Daniel Fernandez. The PBA has lent their continued support, spending over $100,000 in legal fees related to Officer Fernandez's defense.

Seemingly caught in the crosshairs of a public corruption investigation, Officer Daniel Fernandez has been subjected to false accusations and the  misfortune of having his pension suspended. His yearly salary withheld together with accrued sick time that he never used.

The State Attorney (11th Circuit Court), after admitting to evidentiary issues, has proposed several plea offers (ALL MISDEMEANORS) to include a NO PROS if he relinquishes his police standards (badge). Officer Fernandez refuses to take any plea offers when he committed NO crime and is poised to stand strong until the truth is brought out. The State Attorney is trying to get Officer Fernandez to take a lesser plea so they can justify the State case and avoid civil exposure. Officer Daniel Fernandez will never agree to a deal.

The Fernandez family has borrowed $62,000 to keep their house from going into foreclosure and now again they are behind on their mortgage payments. Their children owe over $72,000 in student loans. They currently have no income; and Mrs. Fernandez lost her job last May. They are in a very challenging predicament. The Miami Dade Police department and the State Attorney's Office owe the Fernandez family a timely resolution to this investigation.

The State Attorney's (11th Circuit Court) abuse of the legal system is an attempt to ruin the life of OFFICER DANIEL FERNANDEZ and his family, to cover up the fact that they have arrested an innocent man. Detective Fernandez has been decorated for being shot in the line of duty, has earned over 40 commendations, Awarded a Gold Medal of Valor, a Purple Heart, and the Life Saving Award, nominated Officer of the Year(2003) and gave 16 YEARS of his life protecting and serving our community. He served our country as a Ranger in the United States Army for ten years. Officer Daniel Fernandez was honorably discharged from both the Army and the Army Reserve and is looking forward to honorably retire as a Police Officer.

This blatant attempt to use him as a scapegoat is threatening his way of life and his very freedom. Who will be there to protect and serve him? We must ensure that the integrity of the law is upheld and preserved. THE STATE ATTORNEY KNOWS THEY HAVE A TAINTED INVESTIGATION AND ARE ATTEMPTING TO GET A CONVICTION AT ANY AND ALL COSTS.  INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE.