3 Accused Poachers Arrested For Trying To Kill Officer: Sheriff

POLK COUNTY, FL — Three Miami suspects have been arrested after a Florida Fish and Wildlife officer was injured after being hit by an ATV driven by a suspected poacher Saturday night, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

The FWC officer got a tip about illegal poaching activity at the River Ranch Hunt Club, according to investigators. The officer searched the campground, located on 88,000 acres, and saw two ATVs. He then heard a gunshot, Sheriff Grady Judd said.

The officer took two shotguns from the three suspects, and this led to an attack on the officer, deputies said.

Michel Amalfi, 45, of Miami, jumped on the officer and started fighting him, according to Judd. Another suspect, Rodrigo Alberto Mato La Rosa, 27, is also accused of attacking the officer. The third suspect, Lazaro Milian, 45, who was on probation for grand theft, got on an ATV and drove away.

"Our officer is hit by the side-by-side (ATV)," Judd said. "And after they beat him, and hit him with the side-by-side ATV, they left him an hour deep in these woods. And they didn't care whether he survived or not."

After the suspects fled, the officer called for help and 100 officers from several law enforcement agencies worked to locate the victim. Judd said GPS was installed on the officer's truck, which helped agencies find the injured officer.

A search warrant allowed them to search a cell phone that was found at the scene that belonged to Amalfi, Judd said. This helped lead officers to find where the camp Amalfi stayed. Sunday morning, law enforcement officials surrounded Amalfi's location and arrested Amalfi and Milian on multiple charges including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.

La Rosa was arrested Sunday night on attempted murder of a law enforcement officer charges in Hialeah, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

"We are relieved that the officer is going to be OK, and that all three suspects are now in custody," the sheriff's office said.

Due to Marsy's Law, Polk County Sheriff's Office will not release the FWC officer's name.

According to authorities, the suspects face these charges:

Michel Amalfi

• Attempted murder of a law enforcement officer
• Resisting arrest
• Tampering with evidence
• Keeping a nuisance injurious to health

Lazaro Milian

• Attempted murder of a law enforcement officer
• Resisting arrest
• Tampering with evidence
• Keeping a nuisance injurious to health
• Unauthorized possession of crate
• Miami-Dade warrant for grand theft

Rodrigo Alberto Mato La Rosa

• Attempted murder of a law enforcement officer
• Resisting arrest

La Rosa will be taken to the Polk County Jail.