SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) — The son of a Miami-Dade Police major appeared in bond court, Thursday afternoon, charged with multiple offenses, including drug trafficking.
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, 20-year-old Tyler Arnold Palmer, the son of MDPD Maj. Arnold Palmer, who heads the department’s Economic Crimes Bureau, was arrested Wednesday at his father’s Southwest Miami-Dade home.
He was taken into custody at his father’s home after the police department’s Professional Compliance Bureau executed a search warrant to investigate the premises.
At approximately 2:35 p.m., police thoroughly searched Palmer’s bedroom as part of an internal affairs investigation and discovered — among other drug paraphernalia — bottles of amphetamine pills, marijuana, hallucinogenic mushrooms (known as psilocybin) and three zip lock baggies of what they believe to be cocaine. They also discovered $3,140 in cash.
He was then placed under arrest and transported to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
In bond court, Thursday, he was charged with cocaine trafficking, hallucinogen trafficking, cannabis possession and possession of a controlled substance. He is being held on $65,000 bond.
Neighbors are stunned about the allegations. "No, no, no, no drugs here, no drugs in the neighborhood, nothing here," said Willie Rivas.
Rivas went on to say the neighborhood has always seemed quiet. "I have two years living here, and this is good."
"Holy cow. Well, that’s not good," said an area resident who asked not to be identified or show her face on camera.
When asked whether Tyler’s arrest surprised her, she replied, "Yes, of course, because it’s a very quiet, very nice neighborhood."
The elder Palmer has been on the force since 1990, including many of those years as a lieutenant. Tyler’s mother and several of his uncles also work for the department.
Miami-Dade Police officials released a statement that read in part, "The Miami-Dade Police Department acknowledges the arrest of Mr. Tyler Palmer, who is the relative of several MDPD employees. There is no indication at this time of any involvement by our employees in this case. As such, their statuses with the department remain unchanged."
Police said this an active, ongoing investigation.