Charges dropped against Homestead police officer after wife refuses to testify – NBC 6 South Florida

Charges have been dropped against a Homestead police officer who was arrested in February on assault and other charges for allegedly cutting his wife and throwing her phone at her.

Diego Quiroga was taken to prison on February 29 for robbery, assault and aggravated assault.

However, records show that the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office dropped all charges against Quiroga and decided last week not to prosecute the officer.

According to records, the announcement came several days after the alleged victim, Quiroga’s wife, signed a court letter expressing her desire that all charges against her husband be dropped.

“I do not wish to make any affidavits or other statements, nor do I wish to testify against my husband,” says the signed letter, which NBC6 has obtained.

According to a police report, officers responded to a domestic violence call and encountered Quiroga, who said he and his wife had been involved in an argument about infidelity and text messages that escalated and turned physical.

Quiroga, 39, said his wife began hitting and scratching him in the face and chest area. He tried to push her away, but in the process caused a cut on her cheek, the report said.

However, the wife said the cut occurred when Quiroga snatched the phone from her and threw it at her, the report said.

The wife also said Quiroga followed her into the bathroom and she had to fend him off with a shower curtain rod, the report said.

In a statement following the arrest, Homestead police said Quiroga had been placed on unpaid leave and the agency was monitoring the district attorney’s investigation.

“The Homestead Police Department is committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into this matter. If necessary, we will take appropriate action,” the statement said. “Incidents of this nature are taken very seriously by the Homestead Police Department. We want to assure the community that we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability within our department.”

NBC6 reached out to Homestead Police about what will happen to Quiroga’s job now that charges are dropped, but we have not received a response.