Miami-Dade Detective Robbed People During Traffic Stops

Miami-Dade Police Detective William Kostopoulos tried to use the cover of enforcing the law in order to break it. The 47-year-old is accused to pulling over drivers only to rob them of their money and other property. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced today that...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

June 18, 2015

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Miami-Dade Police Det. William Kostopoulos used the cover of enforcing the law in order to break it. The 47-year-old is accused of pulling over drivers only to rob them of their money and other property.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced today that a grand jury has indicted Kostopoulos on multiple charges, including violating civil rights and obstructing justice.

Kostopoulos is alleged to have pulled over at least three motorists and used his authority to steal money and valuables, in direct conflict with the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. Kostopoulos is also accused of making misleading statements to cover up his alleged crimes and prevent reporting the crimes to federal law enforcement officers.

The FBI, with the assistance of the Homestead Police Department, is investigating the case.

A LinkedIn profile belonging to a William Kostopoulos indicates that before he became an officer with MDPD, he served ten years, from 1988 to 1998, with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office in the Panhandle.

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