Miami-Dade Officer Charged With Smuggling Guns Through MIA

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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) -- A Miami-Dade police officer has been charged in federal court with smuggling weapons to associates in the Dominican Republic.

Officer Michael Freshko, 48, was assigned to Miami International Airport.

According to the charging documents filed in court Tuesday, Freshko used his position to bring weapons into the airport without going through screening. The guns were handed over to an associate who took them aboard commercial flights to the Dominican Republic.

He's charged with conspiracy to illegally export firearms and made his initial appearance before a Magistrate judge on Tuesday.

The six weapons were smuggled in October and December of 2012. Prosecutors identified them as four Glock 9mm pistols, one Sig Sauer 9mm pistol and one Sig Sauer 5.56-caliber rifle.

Travelers were shocked at the news.

"Flying at any time is already stressful. You don't need these things coming out on the news. I mean you do need them coming out on the news, but you just don't want listen to them because it's just more stress," she said.

Another traveler said, "I think it's somebody doing their job, and that things are starting to work with security. But unfortunate that it's a police officer involved. I guess there's some bad apples in the bunch.

Miami-Dade Police Department Director Juan Perez issued a statement, which read:

"Integrity is the hallmark of the Miami-Dade Police Department as evidenced by our collaboration in this investigation. We are committed to the highest performance standards and ethical conduct, thus anyone who blemishes our badge will be held accountable for their actions."

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum five-year prison sentence.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)