Former Miami Firefighters Face Charges Over 'Noose' Incident

MIAMI, FL -- Miami's top prosecutor said Tuesday that criminal charges have been filed against four former city firefighters stemming from an investigation into the so-called "noose" incident in which a black officer with Miami Fire Rescue discovered a string-like noose draped over one of three family photographs that were also defaced with sexually explicit drawings on the same day that Hurricane Irma struck the city.

"These are our heroes. Let there be no doubt about how we feel about our firefighters and our first responders," said Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle who described the noose incident as a "shocking disappointment" by those involved. "These events have led to the filing of criminal charges against four former city of Miami firemen."

All of the firefighters facing charges had been assigned to Miami Fire Station #12. City officials announced the termination of six firefighters over the incident, including the four facing charges by the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office.

Former Lt. Alejandro Sese of Miami Fire Rescue faces the steepest penalties with two felony charges and three misdemeanors, according to the state attorney’s office. The felony charges include tampering with a witness and petit theft. He is also facing multiple counts of misdemeanor criminal mischief principal.

Fernandez Rundle said that prosecutors have been unable to determine who placed the noose over the photos. She said it was Sese who cajoled the other firefighters into drawing phallic symbols on the family photographs.

"There was no evidence that was uncovered that Lt. Sese or any of the others were motivated to deface the photographs as a result of racial prejudice," said Fernandez Rundle.

Miami's top fire official, Fire Chief Joseph Zahralban, described the noose incident at the time as a "hideous, distasteful act of hate" and said that he was appalled when he first saw the noose. A spokesperson for Miami Fire Rescue did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday morning.

Lt. Robert Webster, the victim in the incident, attended Tuesday's press conference along with Miami-Dade President Ruban Roberts of the NAACP and others.

"A noose to an African-American is a lynching," Webster told reporters. "It is something that is a terror tactic."

He said that some members of the fire department collected money to help the firefighters who lost their jobs as a result of the incident.

"The same people who gave money, put money in that hat never once came to me and said we're sorry about what happened," added Webster.

The incident took place at Station 12, which is located at 1455 NW 46th Street. Of the three other firefighters charged, all three are facing a charge of misdemeanor criminal mischief, the state attorney’s office said.

They were identified as former firefighters Kevin Meizoso, Justin Rumbaugh and Harold Santana.

Fernandez Rundle discovered a "sad reality" within the fire department where it was a common practice to draw phallic symbols on objects as a practical joke or to display displeasure with an individual.

Watch below as the Miami-Dade state attorney discusses a culture of bad behavior at Miami Fire Rescue:

The Miami-Dade state attorney (right) stands next to Lt. Robert Webster (left) at a press conference. Photo and video by Paul Scicchitano.