Miami Cops Charged In Shooting Cover-Ups

Sept. 7 -- Thirteen current and former Miami police officers are facing federal corruption charges, accused of planting guns at crime scenes and covering up the incidents.

All were members of an elite SWAT team or other specialized crime-suppression units, and one had served as an assistant to the police chief.

"These officers planted weapons. They lied about their roles in the shootings. They lied about what they saw. They falsified reports. They tampered with crime scenes," said U.S. Attorney Guy Lewis.

"They stole money, personal property, and guns from people being arrested; guns that then were later used or dropped during the course of several of these police-involved shootings."

In some of the incidents, officers fatally shot the suspects who were apparently unarmed, Lewis said.

Arrested in the Chief’s Office

Two officers who earlier pleaded guilty to related charges are cooperating with investigators. Seven others were arrested today, and the remaining four were expected to surrender to authorities later today.

Five of the officers, Israel Gonzalez, who had served as an assistant to a former chief, Jose Acuna, Jorge Castello, Jorge Garcia, and Jose Quintero, were arrested after being summoned to the police chief's office this morning.

Two other former cops, Jesus Aguero and Arturo Beguiristain, were arrested at their homes.

"The actions of these officers stained the badge of every hard-working, honest, faithful, honorable police officer who puts her life on the line every single day," Lewis said.

Police Chief Raul Martinez responded to news of the indictments.

"It is embarrassing to the great majority of Miami police officers who do an honorable job and risk their life on a daily base to find out about this incident," he said.

"We will not stop until we completely repair whatever public mistrust may exist due to these indictments."

In one 1996 incident, officers allegedly lied to investigators and obstructed justice after a 73-year-old man was killed in a hail of 123 bullets. Another involved two suspects who were killed as they fled police after a snatch-and-run robbery. The officers involved allegedly planted a gun stolen from another crime scene.