Former Miami Police officer Jose Maldonado-Dick will remain on lockup over the holidays. A judge ruled today during Maldonado-Dick's second appearance in bond court that he will not be eligible for release before his January 25th, 2015 trial based on the severity of his crimes.
Maldonado-Dick was arrested back in October after he allegedly provided protection for two cocaine deals that went down in the parking lot of a McDonald's.
An undercover police officer posing as a drug dealer approached Maldonado-Dick, who was assigned to patrol the Wynwood area, if he'd provide protection. On October 3rd the disgraced officer provided protection for a deal involving three kilos and was paid $900. On October 16th he received a cool $1000 for protecting a deal for seven kilos of cocaine.
According to NBC Miami, Maldonado-Dick's bond trial lasted about three hours today. Family and friends show up to vouch for his character, and his attorney argued that he wasn't a flight risk.
However, prosecutors wouldn't budge.
"He had no problem wearing this badge and violating the law," prosecutor Warren Eth said. "Committing the second most serious felony that you can in the state of Florida. There's only one worse crime that this defendant didn't commit and that's a capital offense."
The judge denied bond.
The officer will face trial for charges of armed cocaine trafficking, receiving compensation for unlawful behavior, official misconduct by a public servant and using a communication device unlawfully in January.
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