Opa-locka police officer accused of pointing gun at man over incident with fiancee

Officer Stanley Jean-Francois wanted man to apologize to fiancee, police say

OPA-LOCKA, Fla. – An Opa-locka police officer was arrested Sunday in the city of Miami, a day after he threatened to shoot a man who he believed had disrespected his fiancee, authorities said.

According to an arrest report, Officer Stanley Jean-Francois Jr., 35, approached the victim on Saturday and began arguing with him because he believed that the victim had disrespected his fiancee.

Police said Jean-Francois walked up to the victim aggressively, grabbed him by the shirt with one hand and pointed an automatic handgun to the victim's left rib cage area.

The men began tussling over the gun, which Jean-Francois gained control over, authorities said.

The victim told detectives that Jean-Francois told him to apologize to the officer's fiancee and then walked him back to her home at gunpoint against his will.

The victim said they stopped at a vehicle and the officer pulled out a badge from his wallet and told him: "I can kill you and no one would know."

The men then walked to the officer's fiancee's home and continued arguing over an apology, authorities said.

Police said Jean-Francois eventually released his grasp on the victim and the victim walked away and called 911.

Two witnesses told detectives that they witnessed the initial encounter. Detectives said one of the witnesses believed that the victim was being robbed at gunpoint. 

The victim identified the officer in a photo lineup.

Police said Jean-Francois admitted that there was a verbal and physical confrontation, but denied having a gun on him. Authorities said he claimed to have had only his police-issued baton with him when he threatened the victim.

But detectives said the officer admitted to owning a .380-caliber handgun, as the victim described, and would not give an exact location of its whereabouts. 

Opa-locka Police Chief James Dobson said Jean-Francois has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation, as well as an internal investigation.

Jean-Francois faces charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment with a deadly weapon. 


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

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.