A deputy with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Daniel Chala, has been arrested on charges of false imprisonment and battery following an alleged assault incident at his apartment on Monday morning. The arrest was made by the City of Miami Police Department, Local 10 News confirmed Tuesday.
According to an arrest report, officers were called to Chala’s apartment building after receiving a report of an assault. Upon arrival, police found the victim, who claimed that Chala had assaulted her.
A witness in the building told officers that she was lying in bed when she heard someone banging on her door and shouting, “This guy is trying to kill me. He has my bags!” When the witness looked through her peephole, she saw the victim—bleeding from the mouth—standing outside. The witness let her in and called the front desk to request police assistance.
The report states that the victim later returned to Chala’s apartment to retrieve her belongings, which Chala placed at his door, including her purse and tennis shoes. The witness recorded the exchange.
The victim told police she met Chala earlier that morning at E11EVEN Miami nightclub. After socializing, he reportedly invited her to his apartment, telling her, “Let’s go to my place. I live alone.”
While at the apartment, the two were “making out” when, according to the report, Chala asked the victim a question she had already answered, which confused her. When she attempted to leave the bedroom, Chala allegedly placed his arms around her neck and kissed her. She initially thought it was part of a sexual encounter but became alarmed as his grip tightened.
The victim said she told him, “Babe, you’re hurting me. Stop, stop,” before dropping her weight to the floor. Chala allegedly continued to hold her neck as he leaned down over her. She then managed to crawl toward the front door, yelling, “Stop, stop, stop. Let me go,” and ran to several nearby apartment units seeking help before one resident responded.
Officers noted visible red marks on her neck and chin, as well as a broken pinky nail and a partially broken ring fingernail.
Chala, 54, admitted to bringing the woman home but denied any physical contact beyond “kissing her on the hand.” When asked about a makeup stain on his shirt, he responded, “Maybe I hugged a girl. I don’t know.”
He was arrested and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, with bond set at $3,500.
Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz issued a statement:
“I am disappointed to learn that one of my deputies has been arrested. I expect every member of this office to conduct themselves with integrity, professionalism, and respect for the oath they have taken. When someone falls short of those expectations, it tarnishes our profession and the public’s trust.”
An investigation is ongoing.
