A former City of Miami police officer, Frenel Cenat, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison Tuesday for attempted cocaine trafficking and attempted extortion under the Hobbs Act.
Cenat, who pleaded guilty in March, faced Senior U.S. District Judge James Cohn in Fort Lauderdale. The judge also imposed five years of supervised release following his prison term.
“The vast majority of the law enforcement officers in this district and throughout this country perform their very difficult jobs with respect for their communities and in compliance with the law,” stated U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “Former police officer Frenel Cenat tarnished his badge when he abused his position and authority. His actions do not speak for the larger law enforcement community. Rather, today’s sentencing is a reminder that no one is above the law. I would like to thank our partners at the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and MPD, in particular the FBI’s West Palm Beach Resident Agency and the Miami Area Corruption Task Force, for their unwavering commitment to the communities we serve and the pursuit of justice.”
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According to court documents, Cenat abused his authority by using his police position, unmarked vehicle, and equipment to conduct phony traffic stops. His goal? Stealing what he believed to be drug money and cocaine from the drivers.
“Cenat used his badge to cover his illegal activities, thereby tarnishing the reputations of all the good men and women who protect our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter, DEA Miami Field Division. “Law enforcement partnerships were key to bringing this disgraced officer to justice.”
The investigation revealed Cenat offered victims a choice: hand over bags filled with cash and drugs or face arrest.
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In one instance, Cenat allegedly seized $52,000 from an undercover agent posing as a drug trafficker, later splitting the stolen money with an informant.
FBI’s West Palm Beach Resident Agency and FBI’s Miami Area Corruption Task Force, which includes task force officers from MPD’s Internal Affairs Section, and the DEA investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward N. Stamm prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon is handling asset forfeiture.
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