Ex-police officer acquitted in miami cocaine trafficking case
November 01, 2009
A former Miami-Dade Police Officer and his brother took their chances with a jury in Miami federal courtroom and their gamble paid dividends. Each brother was represented by
Miami criminal lawyers with years of experience defending
Miami cocaine trafficking cases in federal court. Antonio and Glen Roberts were accused of being involved in a large Miami cocaine trafficking ring. Seventeen other defendants were arrested and indicted on several criminal charges including cocaine trafficking, racketeering, and conspiracy charges.
All other seventeen defendants entered guilty pleas prior to trial. Among those who entered pleas were Michael King, another former Miami-Dade police officer and Marvin Coney, a former Miami-Dade County corrections officer. King received five years in prison for
racketeering and obstruction of justice. He allegedly placed bets on professional basketball games, and at one time tipped of Coney as to the pending Miami cocaine trafficking investigation. King received five years in federal prison while Coney was sentenced to ten years.
Jurors in a Miami
federal court acquitted the brothers after a two week trial where they were accused by federal prosecutors of being involved in the Miami cocaine trafficking ring. Antonio Roberts was acquitted of four cocaine related charges, as well as, the obstruction of justice charge. Glenn Roberts was acquitted of the cocaine with possession to distribute charge. The investigation into the criminal enterprise was headed up by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During the course of the investigation, the FBI recorded approximately 10,500 conversations.
Despite the large number of conversation recorded by the FBI, the jury could not convict the brothers as they undoubtedly found that the federal government could not prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. A conversation recorded by the FBI revealed that Antonio called Coney to warn him of a police presence in the neighborhood. Another conversation that was recorded revealed that Glenn spoke about buying a "cookie" which is code for one ounce of cocaine. It is believed that the severe lack of evidence along with a strong case presented by the
Miami criminal attorneys secured the acquittal.
It is always a difficult decision when discussing with a client whether or not to enter a plea or take a case to trial. Any skilled Miami cocaine trafficking lawyer or Miami marijuana trafficking lawyer has represented enough clients to give a good opinion as to what he believes will be the outcome of any criminal case will be. However, without a crystal ball, no one can give guarantees. While the first seventeen defendants entered guilty pleas, they may have a more difficult time at trial depending on the evidence that was accumulated against them.
Ex-Miami-Dade Cop, Brother Cleared in Drug Case, The Miami Herald, October 29, 2009.
