Miami cop charged in connection with gun running scheme

A Miami-Dade police officer was charged Tuesday for his role in an alleged scheme to smuggle guns to the Dominican Republic.

Michael Freshko, 48, is accused of smuggling six firearms through Miami International Airport in late 2012, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Florida.

According to court documents, an unnamed co-conspirator gave Freshko four Glock 9mm handguns, one Sig Sauer 9mm handgun, and one Sig Sauer 5.56 rifle. Then, using his official position as an officer, Freshko bypassed airport security screenings and gave the guns back to the co-conspirator, who put the firearms in a carry-on bag and flew with them to the Dominican Republic. The six weapons were transported over the course of two such operations, on Oct. 5 and Dec. 7, 2012.

“Integrity is the hallmark of the Miami-Dade Police Department as evidenced by our collaboration in this investigation,” said Miami-Dade police Director Juan Perez. “We are committed to the highest performance standards and ethical conduct, thus anyone who blemishes our badge will be held accountable for their actions.”

Freshko started working for the department in 2004, and was relieved of duty on Dec. 7, 2015, according to WPLG. At the time of the alleged smuggling scheme, he was assigned to the Airport District Station.

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