Attorney defends Sunrise police sergeant arrested after criminal investigation – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

SUNRISE, FLA. (WSVN) – Sergeant Daniel Rodriguez of the Sunrise Police Department voluntarily turned himself in to the Broward County Main Jail after an arrest warrant was issued as a result of an extensive criminal investigation by the department.

The SPD stated that there was sufficient suspicion for the charges, including written/electronic death threats and/or threats of bodily harm, threats of extortion and tampering with evidence.

At the beginning of the investigation, Rodriguez was placed on leave. As a result, his police firearm, badge, identification and patrol car were confiscated.

Chief Ransone said he informed Rodriguez of his intention to place him on unpaid administrative leave.

The Sunrise Police Department demands the highest standards of conduct from its members and any actions that violate the public trust are taken extremely seriously,” Sunrise police said in a news release. “The actions exhibited by Rodriguez do not reflect the mission, vision and core values ​​of the men and women of the Sunrise Police Department.

Sunrise Police Station

Michael Gottlieb, Rodriguez’s attorney, said it was a case of retaliation for his client reporting alleged misconduct within the department.

“My client saw that injustice was happening at his police station and tried to make amends,” Gottlieb said.

Rodriguez claims that a lieutenant in the Internal Affairs Division removed evidence from a suspected marijuana growing area years ago. The evidence was an antique fire alarm bell.

Instead of recording it and handing it in, the lieutenant, he said, hung it up in the police station.

“My client became aware of it. He reported it to the district attorney’s office and he reported it to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Since then, my client, who as a police officer really did the right thing in reporting a theft, really did the right thing. My client was the victim of retaliation and was accused of committing a crime,” Gottlieb said.

On January 22, February 16, and March 2, 2024, the former sergeant threatened the victim with death and bodily harm.

The victim is believed to be the internal investigations lieutenant he wanted to report and another person.

“There are text messages from him and a friend where he said things like, ‘I should kill them’ because they suspended and punished him. That’s just letting off steam,” Gottlieb said.

According to the arrest warrant, the alleged kidnapping of the fire bell was an extortion attempt by Rodriguez.

Investigators allege that Rodriguez’s complaint was “made in bad faith.”

“The fire bell was stolen — you’ve seen pictures of it. Both at the crime scene and on the walls of the police department. And I think the matter should have been handled internally by reprimanding the lieutenant who stole the property,” Gottlieb said.

According to his lawyer, Rodriguez plans to fight the charges.

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