Three corrections officers at a Miami-Dade prison workers Capt. Eric Peavey, Jr., Sgt. Lizandro Rodriguez and Correctional Officer Ellen Day were all arrested on charges including official misconduct and falsifying an official record, according to the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors said Rodriguez falsified a report in December 2017 for inmate Lazaro Galvan that claimed he was in possession of a shank. Galvan denied having any weapons, prosecutors said on Thursday.
When surveillance footage was reviewed and more corrections officers were interviewed, it was determined Galvan was telling the truth.
"The actions of these officers were inappropriate and do not reflect of the thousands of FDC staff across the state who serve at our institutions with integrity every day. We applaud our Inspector General’s Office and law enforcement partners for their thorough investigation," said Patrick Manderfield, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Corrections.
Manderfield said the department is moving forward with the immediate dismissals of the officers that will now face third-degree felony charges.