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Highlands Today

NO. 8: TWO AP POLICE OFFICERS ARRESTED, SUSPENDED

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: December 31, 2008

AVON PARK - On Jan. 5, Alberto Perez will be arraigned on an extortion charge. Then, on Feb. 18, Adam Willis has a pretrial conference set.

Both men are Avon Park police officers and both were arrested this year on charges of police misconduct. Willis, 31, was taken into custody Nov. 19 and charged with armed burglary of a structure or conveyance and grand theft over $300.

The charges stem from an undercover operation administered by special agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Avon Park Police Department.

A vehicle equipped with electronic surveillance devices, as well as a wallet containing money, was parked along North Central Avenue in Avon Park, according to the arrest report. All the doors were unlocked and the driver's side door was left slightly open.

Footage from the electronic surveillance equipment reportedly showed Willis, with gloved hands, get into the vehicle and remove the wallet from the console.

Less than two weeks later, Perez, 33, was arrested and charged with one count of threats or extortion.

An FDLE investigation started in June after the FDLE began receiving complaints from Hispanic Avon Park residents that officers were taking money from illegal aliens during traffic stops, according to the arrest affidavit.

One victim met with FDLE agents on Oct. 28 and discussed an April 19 traffic stop, where Perez allegedly told him that he'd have to pay $200 or get a ticket.

Willis has been with the APPD since September 2006, while Perez joined in July 2007. Both were placed on unpaid administrative leave following their arrests.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at 863-386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com.

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