City of Miami police officer Fausto Lopez sure loves driving over 100 MPH, and now he'll have to do 100 hours of community service because of it. The officer who was pulled over and arrested by a Florida Highway Patrol officer in October in a dramatic stop caught on video was sentenced today, and, as expected, escaped jail time.
Lopez could have faced 90 days in jail for reckless driving charges, but because he entered a no contest plea he will instead get 100 hours of community service. He will also have to pay $3,300 in court costs.
In a case that made national headlines, Lopez was pulled over by the FHP trooper in October. He was late to a moonlighting job in Coconut Grove and was caught speeding 120 MPH on the Turnpike. The FHP trooper actually had to pull a gun on Lopez. The arrest set off something off a tiff between FHP and Miami officers that involved a botch attempt at a retaliatory ticket, a poop-smeared patrol car, and, eventually, a charity softball game.
According to SunPass records, Lopez had been clocked going over 100 MPH more than 114 times in the year prior to the stop, and was reportedly seen speeding even after the arrest.
Lopez has not been reprimanded by the Miami Police Department yet. They were waiting until the outcome of this case. He could lose use of his vehicle for up to six months.
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