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Miami Officer Faces Judge Following Arrest On Felony Charges

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A Miami police officer accused of taking money to be a drug dealer's hired muscle was in court Thursday morning.

A bond court judge ordered the officer to be held on no bond and called his alleged actions "incredibly stupid".

Officer Jose Maldonado was arrested and charged with eight felony charges, including two counts of armed trafficking in cocaine and two counts of official misconduct by a public servant.

"This is perhaps one of the egregious breaches of public trust," said Warren Eth, an Assistant State Attorney in court.

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The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office showed photos, Wednesday, of what it claims show Officer Maldonado with a wad of cash in his hand, after taking money from a drug dealer.

Maldonado allegedly offered to serve as the drug dealer's protection while he sold cocaine in a McDonald's parking lot near Midtown Miami.

"He has faith in his innocence, I do to, obviously right now, it is a bit of a circus," said defense attorney Steven Amster.

An arrest warrant says Maldonado was on duty, in his marked police car and carrying his department-issued weapon that day. The warrant says he was paid $900 for his protection a few days later.

Police say that is where the first incident happened on October 3. A police confidential informant sold cocaine at a fast-food restaurant while Maldonado kept watch.

Maldonado has been an officer with the City of Miami for seven years. He patrolled the Wynwood area of the city.

Maldonado's own department was involved in the sting to catch him, said Miami Chief of Police, Manuel Orosa.

"We can show our citizens that our good police officers are doing what they have to clean our ranks of whatever corruption we may have in our police department," he said. "One of our own has tarnished his badge for a little amount of money. He's probably going to be spending the rest of his time in jail."

Police say they caught him a second time, keeping watch at the same location while seven kilos of cocaine were sold on October 16. Maldonado was paid $1,000 that time.

Shortly after Maldonado's arrest, the Miami Fraternal Order of Police President Sergeant Javier Ortiz, issued a statement saying, "As law enforcement officers, we understand the need for having high expectations when it comes to our morals and values. We have the incredible responsibility in which we can take away someone's freedom as well the authority to use deadly force. Our community rightfully demands that we uphold the law as well as resist the temptation of abusing our position as law enforcement officers. If the charges are true against Officer Maldonado, we support that he is held accountable for his actions. However, we also believe that all individuals accused of a crime are innocent until proven guilty. We ask for the community to keep our police force in your prayers while this case is processed through the criminal justice system."

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