In a bizarre turn of events, a 37-year-old Miami police officer, Zamir Vargas Valerio, has been arrested after allegedly trying to “reconnect” with his ex-girlfriend by issuing her a false traffic ticket.
The ticket, however, was quickly uncovered as a fraudulent act, as the woman was overseas at the time of the alleged violation.
Officer’s Attempt to Reconnect with Ex-Girlfriend
Officer Zamir Vargas Valerio, who had been with the Miami Police Department, was arrested on felony charges of official misconduct and offenses against computer systems.
This arrest followed an investigation that revealed Valerio used his position to issue a fake traffic citation in what authorities believe was an attempt to reach out to his ex-girlfriend, who was stationed overseas with the U.S. military at the time.
The situation came to light when the woman’s mother contacted her about receiving a notice from the traffic court. The woman, confused by the ticket, informed her mother that she had been out of the country when the ticket was supposedly issued.
After the mother inquired with the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts, it was confirmed that the citation had indeed been filed, despite the woman’s absence.
The Discovery of the Crime
Suspicious about the situation, the victim contacted the Miami-Dade Police Department. The internal affairs division quickly began to investigate the matter. They soon uncovered a shocking detail: Officer Valerio had been on disability leave at the time the alleged violation occurred.
Further investigation revealed that Valerio had used another officer’s computer login credentials to issue the fraudulent ticket.
The use of another officer’s access was a critical piece of evidence, leading authorities to charge Valerio with felony offenses related to abuse of his police powers and computer systems.
The Consequences of Valerio’s Actions
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle condemned Valerio’s actions, calling them a serious breach of trust and a clear violation of the law. She emphasized that such misuse of criminal justice resources, especially in an attempt to manipulate personal situations, is unacceptable.
City of Miami Police Chief Manuel A. Morales also spoke out about the incident, condemning the officer’s actions as a severe violation of both criminal and ethical standards.
He reiterated the department’s commitment to maintaining high standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability, ensuring that all officers are held to the same rules as the community they serve.
