By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
A former Miami Police officer accused of protecting an illegal gambling operation in exchange for cash was charged Monday with two counts of extortion, the FBI announced.
Jerry Sutherland, 28, also is accused of “facilitating the theft of proceeds from a gambling operations.”
The investigation was handled by the FBI Miami Area Corruption Task Force and the Miami Police Department’s Internal Affairs Section.
Miami Police Chief Jerry Sutherland released the following statement:
I am disappointed and disheartened that Officer Jerry Sutherland has been arrested today by the FBI. Officer Sutherland was attempting to obstruct, delay and affect commerce, as well as, to facilitate purported illegal activity, that is, a gambling operation, in exchange for receipt of cash payments. The Miami Police Department’s Internal Affairs Section has assisted the FBI from the beginning of this investigation. Let me make it clear that we take these allegations very seriously.
I will not tolerate any conduct that discredits this organization. Any time a law enforcement officer is accused of tarnishing the badge, it is an embarrassment to all the honest, hard-working members of this profession who work, day in and day out, to protect and serve with integrity.
The allegations surrounding Mr. Sutherland are in no way a reflection of the hard working men and women of the Miami Police Department.
