Former Hialeah Police Chief Sergio Velazquez has been arrested, and state prosecutors are expected to unveil details about the case during a press conference Monday afternoon.
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle is scheduled to speak at 2 p.m., alongside Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent in Charge John Vecchio and Hialeah Mayor Jacqueline Garcia-Roves. The news conference will focus on the circumstances surrounding Velazquez’s arrest, though officials have not yet released formal charges.
According to the Miami Herald, the 61-year-old former chief is believed to be facing public corruption charges. Velazquez served as Hialeah’s top cop from 2012 until 2021, when he was dismissed by then-Mayor Esteban Bovo. His tenure as chief followed a career marked by controversy, including multiple disciplinary issues during his time as an officer.
One particularly troubling allegation involved Velazquez reportedly entering a romantic relationship with a woman he met at the station after she was arrested for driving under the influence. The Herald also reported that Velazquez was under an 18-month investigation by the FDLE for a “pattern of criminal misconduct,” including allegations that he set fire to the car of a man whose former partner was dating Velazquez. However, no charges were filed in those incidents.
Velazquez has worked as an electrician outside of public office since his removal from the department.
More details are expected to emerge during this afternoon’s briefing.
