Former Biscayne Park Officer Accused Of Striking Suspects

MIAMI, FL — A former Biscayne Park police officer appeared in federal court on Friday to answer charges that he allegedly struck two suspects back in 2013. Thirty-seven-year-0ld Guillermo Ravelo of Miami was charged with depriving persons of their civil rights under color of law and falsifying records in a federal investigation. If convicted, Ravelo faces up to 20 years in prison.

The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg for the Southern District of Florida, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Special Agent In Charge Robert F. Lasky of the FBI Miami Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Troy Walker of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Ravelo also faces up to three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

In the first incident, federal prosecutors accused Ravelo of striking the driver of a vehicle involved in an April 7, 2013 traffic stop.

"During the arrest of the driver, officer Ravelo struck the driver with his fist," according to federal prosecutors.

Two months later on June 14, Ravelo allegedly also struck a suspect in an vehicle burglary case with a blunt object.

"Both assaults resulted in bodily injury, and on both occasions officer Ravelo falsified the police reports by misstating the circumstances of the arrests and by omitting that he struck both of the victims," according to prosecutors.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry C. Wallace, Jr.. U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorney Donald W. Tunnage and Assistant State Attorney Trent Reichling.

Photo courtesy Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Federal Courthouse