Miami-Dade, FL - A Miami-Dade police officer has been arrested by his own department after he allegedly molested three children.
Authorities say 40-year-old Daniel Ramos-Aviles, an officer with the Miami-Dade Police Department, was arrested on a warrant and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correction Facility on Monday.
Ramos-Aviles faces charges of sexual battery on a minor, two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child less than 12 years of age, and two counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition on a child under 16 years of age.
The allegations that led to Ramos-Aviles' arrest were reportedly brought to the attention of law enforcement by his wife.
During a bond court appearance, Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer issued orders for Ramos-Aviles to have no contact with the three victims and to maintain a minimum distance of 500 feet from their residences and places of employment.
He was also required to surrender any firearms and was prohibited from using drugs.
Judge Glazer ruled that Ramos-Aviles could return to the "incident location" within 48 hours of being released from jail but must be under police supervision.
A prosecutor emphasized the need for a stay-away order, stating Ramos-Aviles "went back to the house where the victims and the witness lived, retrieved an AR-15 and three handguns."
Given his law enforcement background and military experience, the prosecutor expressed concerns about what Ramos-Aviles might do with these firearms.
Miami-Dade Police Interim Director Stephanie V. Daniels released a statement in response to the allegations, stating, "The privilege to be a law enforcement officer means the oath we took and the badge we wear represent integrity, trust, and the honor to be protectors and peacekeepers of our community. I am appalled to know that as a result of an investigation, detectives from our Special Victims Bureau arrested a member of this agency. The Miami Dade Police Department will not tolerate this behavior, and as is customary, the department will assist and cooperate with the judicial process."