Arrested Officers May 'Open Door' For Hispanic Victims

Patricia Austin hopes the arrest of two Avon Park police officers in 2008 on charges of police misconduct will "open the door" for Hispanic residents to come forward if they are the victim of any type of crime.

Adam Wayne Willis, 31, who had been with the Avon Park Police Department since September 2006, was arrested Nov. 19 and charged with first-degree armed burglary of a structure or conveyance and grand theft. Two weeks later, Alberto Perez, 33, an officer with the APPD since July 2007, was taken into custody on a charge of extortion or threats.

The arrests stemmed from an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's (FDLE) Sebring field office into allegations from Hispanic Avon Park residents that officers were taking money from illegal aliens during traffic stops.

Austin, who is president of the Avon Park chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), said she had taken six complaints from Hispanic residents alleging similar misconduct.

She said Wednesday, however, that there was lots of hesitation from others about coming forward. Austin believes that trepidation stemmed from whether the victims were living in the United States legally or illegally and the ramifications that could come if they were found to be undocumented.

Austin has been giving that issue some thought and one of the topics at the March 2 LULAC meeting will center around what can be done to help victims of crimes who also are living in the country illegally.

Right now, Austin is researching the issue, as she does not know herself exactly what to tell victims who are also illegal immigrants.

"Are there any rights for them?" she said. "There's got to be some way that any victim could come for help."

Austin has used the arrests of Willis and Perez to show residents that justice will be done and law enforcement is there to serve them, even if it means arresting one of their own.

"They will protect you," Austin said.

The defendants will next appear in court in March. Perez has a pretrial conference scheduled for the March 5, while Willis' appearance is set for March 18.

Willis' charges stem from an undercover operation administered by the FDLE and the Avon Park Police Department.

A vehicle equipped with electronic surveillance equipment and a wallet containing money was parked along North Central Avenue, with all the doors unlocked and the driver's side door left slightly open, according to the arrest report.

Willis allegedly entered the car while in his APPD patrol uniform and removed the wallet with a gloved hand.

Perez's charge stemmed from an April 19, 2008, traffic stop, where the officer allegedly told the victim he would have to pay $200 or get a ticket.

The victim's brother was traveling with him and gave Perez the $200, according to the arrest affidavit. Both of the men, as well as a cousin, were later presented with photographic line-ups of officers Perez and Willis, who allegedly initiated the stop.

All three were reportedly able to identify Perez as the officer.

Yolanda Carbia, resident agent in charge with the Sebring FDLE office, said that during the course of their investigation, only the two officers in question were investigated.

Their work on the case, she added, is now complete.

"We're just waiting on the judicial system," Carbia said.