MIAMI — Rafael Otano, a former Hialeah police officer, was awaiting sentencing after a jury in Miami-Dade County found him guilty of armed kidnapping on Tuesday night.
The jury found him not guilty of battery. The trial stemmed from Otano’s response on Dec. 17 to a report of an “intoxicated male that was bothering customers” at Los Tres Conejitos bakery, at 1912 W. 60th St.
Otano wasn’t alone. He was assisting Lorenzo Orfila, the assigned primary officer who has been awaiting trial. Jose Ortega-Gutierrez accused them of taking him to a remote area to beat him up.
“They specifically took him to a dumpsite and treated him like trash. They violated his rights, They betrayed this community,” Assistant State Attorney Shawn Abuhoff said during his closing statement on Tuesday.
Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo Jr. and Hialeah Police Chief George Fuente terminated Otano and Orfila, who surrendered to face charges on Jan. 26. Orfila is also facing a charge of official misconduct.
The alleged coverup involved Ali Amin Saleh, a private investigator whom Ortega-Gutierrez accused of offering him money so he wouldn’t report the beating, according to prosecutors.
It also involved Juan Prietocofino, a notary, who was accused of fraud for notarizing an affidavit Saleh asked Ortega-Gutierrez to sign, according to prosecutors.
Saleh is facing a charge of witness tampering. Circuit Judge Robert Watson set Orfila’s bond at $20,000 and Otano’s bond at $10,000 on Feb. 13, and ordered house arrest.
Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Andrea R. Wolfson is presiding over Otano’s case.
In Florida, an armed kidnapping charge is a first-degree felony punishable by up to life in prison, or up to life on probation and up to $15,000 in fines.
Attorney Michael Pizzi, who defended Otano, said on Tuesday that he was ready to appeal.
Coverage of trial
- Man’s trial begins for crimes prosecutors say he committed while working as Hialeah police officer
- Day 2 of trial for former Hialeah police officer accused of beating man
- Victim who claims Hialeah police officers beat him testifies
- Ex-police officer’s attorney questions alleged victim of Hialeah police brutality
- Man alleging Hialeah police brutality answers questions about his alcoholism
- Hialeah officers testify during ex-colleague’s trial for alleged police brutality
- Hialeah detective testifies at ex-officer’s police brutality trial
- Jury to soon start deliberating
- Jury finds former Hialeah cop guilty of armed kidnapping
Related stories
- 2 Hialeah police officers accused of beating handcuffed homeless man until he was unconscious
- Hearing held for ex-Hialeah cop accused of beating handcuffed man
- Notary charged in beating case that landed 2 Hialeah cops, businessman in jail
- Bond hearing held for former Hialeah police officers accused of kidnapping, beating homeless man
- Bond granted for former Hialeah police officers accused of kidnapping, beating homeless man
- Former Hialeah officers on house arrest, charged in kidnapping, beating of homeless man
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