MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FlORIDA – A former police officer, who is a pastor, admitted to protecting an illegal gambling operation in exchange for cash, officials said Monday.
Authorities said Jerry Sutherland, 28, of Miami-Dade County, Florida, a former officer with the City of Miami Police Department, was charged today with two counts of extortion.
As alleged in the criminal complaint:
On or about January 28, 2014, Sutherland attempted to obstruct, delay and affect commerce through extortion by protecting and facilitating an illegal gambling operation in exchange for the receipt of cash.
Also on July 15, 2014, Officer Sutherland agreed to facilitate the theft of proceeds from an illegal gambling operation in exchange for cash.
Sutherland is presumed innocent until proven guilty.