A Miami-Dade police officer is charged with unlawfully exporting firearms to the Dominican Republic.
Michael Freshko, 48, is accused of using his position as a Miami-Dade cop to transport six weapons past the passenger screening at Miami International Airport and into the departure gate area, where he passed off the guns to a co-conspirator.
Prosecutors say the accomplice stored the six firearms in carry-on baggage and gave the weapons to a third person when the accomplice arrived in the Dominican Republic on a commercial flight.
The smuggling took place between October and December, 2012.
Freshko was relieved of duty by the Miami-Dade Police Department on Dec. 7, 2015. He made his first appearance in federal court Tuesday. He was hired by the Police Department in September 2004 and was most recently assigned to the Airport District.
Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez says integrity is the hallmark of the department and anyone who blemishes the badge will be held accountable.