MIAMI – A Miami-Dade County bond court judge had some harsh words for a Miami police officer accused of providing protection during drug deals in the city.
Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat called the alleged actions of Officer Jose Maldonado-Dick "incredibly stupid" Thursday.
Maldonado-Dick faces several charges, including armed drug trafficking.
Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa and Miami-Dade County state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced the arrest during a news conference Wednesday.
Rundle said Maldonado-Dick met with a police informant posing as a drug dealer in September and offered his protection for illegal drug sales.
According to the arrest report, Maldonado-Dick and the informant met again and planned the deal for the next day in a McDonald's parking lot in his patrol area of Wynwood.
The report said Maldonado-Dick was paid $900 for facilitating the Oct. 3 transaction in which three kilograms of cocaine were exchanged. Another transaction -- this time for seven kilograms -- occurred Oct. 16 at the same location, earning Maldonado-Dick $1,000, the report said.
All of the transactions took place while Maldonado-Dick was armed and in uniform, the report said.
Maldonado-Dick's attorney defended him in court.
"Obviously, he's innocent until proven guilty," attorney Steve Amster told the judge.
Maldonado-Dick, who is a seven-year veteran with the Miami Police Department, was being held without bond.
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