MIAMI (WSVN) - The FBI has arrested a Miami Police officer accused of operating a Ponzi scheme.
According to City of Miami Police, agents arrested 41-year-old Dermis Hernandez on Monday at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport before he could board a flight to Costa Rica.
Investigators said Hernandez promised victims that they would get guaranteed returns through high-interest loans his company made to Costa Rican property owners. Police said the investors were told the properties would be used as collateral for the loans and forfeited if the loans were not repaid.
However, investigators said Hernandez and his co-conspirators instead spent the majority of investor funds on personal use and to pay the returns of other investors.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Miami Police Department.
Hernandez was charged by complaint with a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The case will be tried in federal court.
“I will say that the Miami Police Department condemns Officer Hernandez’s disgraceful behavior and is moving swiftly to terminate his employment,” said newly appointed Miami Police Chief Jorge R. Colina.
This marks the second arrest of a City of Miami Police officer this month. Officer Adrian Santos was arrested Jan. 2 on drug charges. The 25-year-old was on the force for more than two years before he was spotted snorting cocaine while off-duty at a nightclub in Miami.
Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.
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