Charges added in domestic violence case involving Miami-Dade police officer

Joshua Zacarias, 34, charged with stalking, violating conditions of stay-away order

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A Miami-Dade County police officer is facing additional charges in a domestic violence case involving his ex-girlfriend.

Joshua Zacarias, 34, was arrested April 30 and charged with stalking and violating the conditions of a stay-away order that was granted to the alleged victim earlier this month.

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According to the arrest report, the victim was granted a permanent injunction on April 8, which prohibits him from having any communication with the victim.

Police said since then, Zacarias has sent the woman 49 messages through online methods.

According to officers, Zacarias used to live with the woman and arrived at her home with an officer on April 29 to collect his belongings. The woman later told police that when he left, she found a seven-page letter on the floor of her apartment that he had written to her.

Police said Zacarias also told a witness at the April 8 hearing to tell his ex to drop the charges against him because he dropped charges against her.

Details regarding that case have not been released.

On Monday, a judge lowered Zacarias' bond to $125,000.

Court documents show that Zacarias was also arrested Feb. 3 as the result of an internal affair investigation and was charged with official misconduct.

According to police, Zacarias claimed his police cruiser had been vandalized in 2013, but an investigation revealed that he actually struck the security gate as he pulled into the substation and lied about how the damage occurred.

Zacarias' status with the Miami-Dade Police Department is unclear.

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About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.