The Miami Herald reports that a former police chief in Biscayne Park, Florida, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge of depriving three innocent black men of their civil rights by framing them.
Former Biscayne Park Police Chief Raimundo Atesiano admitted to directing police officers to frame innocent men in cases of unsolved burglaries and break-ins to benefit his department’s crimes record.
Atesiano once bragged to his constituents about his 100 percent clearance rate on burglaries, but Atesiano on Friday admitted in a federal court hearing to directing three of his officers to pin unsolved home and vehicle break-ins to three innocent Black men, according to the Herald. His goal was to make his police agency look good, the report said.
Atesiano made the admission as he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deprive three suspects of their civil rights.
The former chief’s conviction typically carries a sentence of up to 10 years, but he is expected to get a lot less time behind bars.
Atesiano reached a plea deal with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and will face sentencing in November.
