Officer Zamir Vargas Valerio, who serves with the Miami Police Department, faces allegations of fabricating a false traffic citation against his ex-girlfriend. At the time of the alleged incident, she was serving abroad in active duty with the United States Army. The situation came to light when the victim's mother received the traffic citation in the mail. Perplexed, as her daughter was "in Lebanon fulfilling her active military duty," she reached out to her daughter, who initially assumed it was an administrative error, according to local media reports.
However, upon contacting the clerk of the Miami-Dade courts, it was confirmed that the citation was genuine and was recorded in the county's legal system, which raised significant concern for the young woman and her family. This prompted a formal investigation by the Internal Affairs Division of the Miami Police Department. It was discovered that the citation was issued using the login credentials of another officer who was on medical leave at the time the infraction was supposedly recorded, as detailed by Local 10.
An Illogical Attempt at "Reconnection"
The Miami-Dade County State Attorney's Office suggested that the act could have been motivated by personal reasons. State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle emphasized, "Officer Valerio allegedly misused the criminal justice resources of a major police department in what can be perceived as an attempt to reconnect with an ex-girlfriend. This is not only beyond normal understanding but also a breach of the law," as reported by NBC Miami.
This incident involved not only the creation of a fictitious ticket but also the unauthorized use of protected computer systems, violating laws regarding computer crimes and official conduct.
Formal Charges: Serious Offenses
Zamir Vargas Valerio, 38, faces formal charges on two third-degree felonies: Official Misconduct and Crimes Against Computer Users, Computer Systems, Computer Networks, and Electronic Devices. These charges highlight the fraudulent nature of the act and the severity of illegally using state systems for personal purposes. Additionally, he was given a $10,000 bond and was incarcerated as the legal process continued.
Response from Miami Police Department
In response to the severity of the situation, Miami Police Chief Manuel A. Morales released a strong institutional statement: "The actions of one individual do not reflect the values and dedication of the vast majority of men and women who serve this city honorably every day. Therefore, we must act decisively when any officer betrays the badge and public trust," Morales stated.
He also reiterated the department's commitment to principles of "integrity, professionalism, and accountability," emphasizing the importance of maintaining public trust and clarifying that such conduct does not represent the department as a whole.
A History of Violence: Troubling Background
This is not the first legal scandal involving Officer Vargas Valerio. In August 2022, he was arrested in the city of Davie, Broward County, on charges of domestic violence for allegedly attempting to strangle his then-partner in front of her child. According to the arrest report cited by El Nuevo Herald, the victim recounted that Vargas Valerio confronted her while she was sleeping with her 3-year-old son, demanding access to her mobile phone.
He pushed her to the ground following a struggle, went to a safe where he kept weapons, and ultimately strangled her and blocked her escape by placing a chain on the door. The woman managed to free herself and alerted a neighbor to call the police. The marks on her neck were consistent with signs of strangulation, although the charges were eventually dropped.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Miami Police Scandal
What charges does Zamir Vargas Valerio face?
Zamir Vargas Valerio is charged with two third-degree felonies: Official Misconduct and Crimes Against Computer Users, Computer Systems, Computer Networks, and Electronic Devices.
How was the fake citation discovered?
The fake citation was discovered when the victim's mother received the citation in the mail and contacted her daughter, who was serving in Lebanon, prompting a confirmation with the Miami-Dade courts.
What actions did the Miami Police Department take?
The Miami Police Department launched an investigation through their Internal Affairs Division and the Police Chief issued a statement emphasizing the need for decisive action against officers who betray public trust.