Avon Park police officer arrested for extortion
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sebring Field Office arrested Avon Park Police Department Officer Alberto Perez, 34, Thursday on charges of extortion and official misconduct.
The investigation began last year when authorities received information that two officers with Avon Park Police Department were taking money from Hispanic migrant workers in exchange for them not having to pay fines or be taken to jail. As a result of that investigation, FDLE arrested Perez in December 2008 and charged him with extortion. Earlier this month, investigators received an additional lead regarding Perez’s alleged extortion.
Avon Park Police Department and the State Attorney’s Office assisted FDLE with the investigation. Perez was booked in to the Highlands County Jail. Perez is currently on administrative leave without pay, pending further investigation by the department.
For additional information, contact the FDLE Office of Public Information at
(850) 410-7001