Former Miami-Dade Fire Department lieutenant named as suspect in hidden camera investigation – NBC 6 South Florida

NBC6 investigators learned new details about the investigation into a Miami-Dade Fire Department lieutenant who allegedly installed hidden cameras in fire station restrooms.

The first reports of the incident surfaced in April 2023, and more than a year later, no charges have been filed.

Police reports recently obtained by NBC6 investigators detail the allegations against Lt. Manuel “Manny” Fernandez of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR).

In April 2023, NBC6 first reported on a hidden camera discovered in a staff restroom at MDFR Fire Station 69 in Doral. A firefighter notified his superiors after noticing a “suspicious USB wall charger” in a police report and discovering it was a “covert video recording device.”

Sources told NBC6 that an incident at a Miami-Dade fire station allegedly involving a hidden camera found in a bathroom is under investigation.

NBC6 investigators found that this wasn’t the only fire station where firefighters were filmed in a restroom. Police investigators also found videos taken at MDFR Fire Station 66 in southwest Miami-Dade in a separate women’s restroom with a shower for employees.

According to police, a video shows “a white male wearing a uniform shirt and a silver watch on his wrist adjusting the camera.” According to a police report, they used shift records and shipping information from the camera manufacturer to identify Lt. Fernandez.

Miami-Dade police turned their findings over to the district attorney’s office. A year after the camera was discovered, a source familiar with the matter told NBC6 that the district attorney’s office is actively investigating.

NBC6 contacted the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office (SAO). A spokesperson told us, “As a matter of policy, the SAO would neither confirm nor deny the existence of an ongoing investigation.”

NBC6 tried calling and emailing Fernandez but received no response.

When investigators met with Fernandez, he refused to speak with them, according to a police report. An internal memo to Fire Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah stated: “Shortly after the department was made aware of the hidden camera, (LT. Manuel Fernandez) suddenly checked himself into a rehabilitation center.”

His union’s president, William McAllister, declined to be interviewed on camera, but said in a statement to NBC6: “First of all, our own firefighters were victims of this disgusting video voyeurism in a firehouse. While the police were tasked with investigating the matter to determine who was responsible, our only concern was the mental health of the victims recorded. We had to develop programs and find resources for those affected, and I hope we have done enough to support them all in their recovery from this unspeakable act.”

He continued, “Although rumors and allegations are circulating that these cameras may have been hidden by a fellow firefighter, the police investigation is ongoing and no one has been charged. Local 1403 hopes that police will soon determine the identity of the person who committed these crimes against our firefighters, whoever they may be. If they do, I urge the courts to prosecute them to the fullest extent possible.”

The MDFR assigned Fernandez paid administrative tasks to perform from home, writing in a memo that police told them he was “their prime suspect.”

On March 14, the department asked him to report to work at headquarters. According to that memo, Fernandez sent an email that read, “Due to current events, I now live 6 hours away from Dade County… I need some time to relocate…”

Just days later, Fernandez sent a memo to Police Chief Jadallah in which he wrote: “Given my situation, I believe my resignation would be best for both parties…”

The Miami-Dade Department sent NBC6 the following statement:

“Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) remains committed to holding its employees to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability. For this reason, any alleged misconduct by one of our employees is taken very seriously and is subject to a comprehensive investigation process.

In response to the incident that occurred at one of our fire stations, MDFR administration took immediate action to assist and cooperate with our law enforcement partners throughout the course of this criminal investigation. As a result of the process, the employee identified as a person of interest in this investigation is no longer employed by MDFR.

This unexpected incident led to the implementation of comprehensive safety improvements across all of our facilities. These measures included a newly established safety task force charged with conducting inspections of our units, enhanced safety protocols, and the revision of policies and procedures to protect the privacy and safety of our employees.

While MDFR administration does not have the authority to investigate criminal matters, we will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure justice is served. MDFR remains committed to providing a supportive work environment where our employees feel safe and secure.”