MIAMI (WSVN) - All charges were dropped in the case of a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s deputy accused of assaulting a transgender woman inside an apartment in downtown Miami.
Fifty-four-year-old Daniel Chala, a 30-year veteran with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, was taken into custody in April after he allegedly attacked a woman he met at E11EVEN Miami Nightclub in the area of 201 Southeast 2nd Avenue.
Upon his release, Chala denied all allegations.
Body camera video showed officers questioning Chala as they took him into custody in April.
“We’re conducting an investigation,” an officer could be overheard telling Chala. “Please place your hands behind your back.”
According to the arrest report, Chala met the woman at E11EVEN Miami Nightclub and brought her to his apartment on the 26th floor later that night. After kissing her, he was accused of wrapping his arm tightly around her neck for three minutes, choking her and putting “red marks on the right side of her neck and chin” until she managed to escape.
Chala told the arresting officers he never assaulted her.
“You guys met at the club, correct?” an officer asked him.
“Yes,” responded Chala.
“Walk me through what happened,” the officer told Chala.
“Nothing,” said Chala.
“So, you guys didn’t argue?” the officer asked.
“We argued, but no, we didn’t argue. I just kicked her out,” said Chala. “No violence whatsoever.”
Officers asked Chala why he kicked the woman out of his apartment.
“Because I didn’t care for her. Because I didn’t like her,” said Chala.
After posting bond in April, Chala insisted he never hurt the woman.
“I did not squeeze that woman’s neck,” he said.
Prosecutors at the time told the judge the opposite.
“Judge, he was choking her and refusing to let go,” the prosecutor said.
He was initially charged with false imprisonment and battery, the State Attorney’s Office has dropped all charges following an investigation, according to officials.
Prosecutors now say they are no longer pursuing any legal actions against Chala.
“The state is taking no further action,” the prosecutor said in court.
The State Attorney’s office emailed 7News on why the charges were dropped.
“After numerous attempts to get the victim to cooperate… the victim refused to assist with the case investigation.”
Chala remains relieved of duty pending an internal affairs investigation by his department.
7News has reached out to Chala’s legal team, but they said he is not ready to do an interview at this time.
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