Miami-Dade officer kidnapped and sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend, police say

David Goodhue, Devoun Cetoute, Omar Rodriguez Ortiz
·2 min read
16

Miami-Dade police on Wednesday night arrested one of their officers after they said he kidnapped and sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend hours earlier.

Officer Miguel Lomeli, 32, is being held with no bond at Miami-Dade County’s Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on charges of armed sexual battery, armed kidnapping and burglary with assault and/or battery while armed, according to his arrest report released by the department.

Lomeli, who was been with Miami-Dade police for six years, has been suspended with pay pending the filing of criminal charges by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, Miami-Dade police Detective Andre Martin told the Miami Herald on Thursday morning. If and when that happens, Lomeli would remain suspended — this time without pay, Martin said.

“There is no place for betrayal of public trust of any kind in the Miami-Dade Police Department,” Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie Daniels said in a statement. “The allegations of misconduct by one of my officers is extremely troubling and immediate action has been taken to hold the officer accountable.”

Mugshot of Miami-Dade Officer Miguel Lomeli, 32. He is accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.
Mugshot of Miami-Dade Officer Miguel Lomeli, 32. He is accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.

Around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Lomeli got into an argument with the woman outside of her Homestead-area home when the dispute “escalated,” police said.

He grabbed the woman, took her inside the residence and sexually assaulted her, police added.

Lomeli was arrested at 10:20 p.m. at Miami-Dade Police headquarters in Doral, the arrest report shows.

“The integrity of our police department is of the utmost importance, and we must continue to act with the highest of standards in order to safeguard the trust of all Miami-Dade County residents,” Daniels said. “I will not allow this badge to be tarnished by anyone.”

The department’s Special Victims Bureau and the State Attorney’s Office are investigating.

Steadman Stahl is president of the Police Benevolent Association, which represents officers. Responding to Lomeli’s allegations, he said, “It was disappointing that any officer would have those allegations against them. However, like any citizen, they are entitled to the legal process. We will monitor the case as it progresses.”

This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.