Broward Sheriff’s Office arrests second BSO deputy for extortion

Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives have arrested a second deputy for his involvement in a drug-related extortion scheme.

Deputy Fausto “TJ” Tejero was arrested Friday evening (10/9/09) on charges of armed burglary, extortion, bribery and unlawful compensation – the same counts as Detective Manuel Silva, who was arrested one week earlier (10/2/09). (See story here)

On September 30th, a citizen told a BSO supervisor that a district detective was extorting money from a man living near Fort Lauderdale. The victim, Orlando Gutierrez, gave a statement to BSO Internal Affairs detectives, detailing an encounter he had with Detective Manuel Silva on Tuesday, 9/29/09. The victim said Silva came to his home in plainclothes, but displaying a badge and gun. At Silva’s insistence, Gutierrez gave consent to a search of his home. Silva entered and found five marijuana plants growing inside the house. Silva told Gutierrez that he would not arrest him and seize his pot plants in return for cash. Silva also promised to tell Gutierrez who had tipped him off about the drugs in his house.

Deputy Tejero was also at the house, in uniform and driving a marked BSO patrol car, acting as backup for Silva. Through their investigation, BSO Internal Affairs detectives determined that Tejero knew that Silva was extorting money from Gutierrez.

“I repeat that we will leave no stone unturned when there’s evidence that a BSO employee has committed a crime,” Sheriff Al Lamberti said. “Unethical or unlawful conduct will not be tolerated on my watch.”

Tejero has been suspended without pay and is being held without bond in the Broward County Jail.

The investigation is continuing and any other victims are encouraged to come forward. Anyone with information can call BSO Internal Affairs at

Related posts:

1. BSO deputy arrested for extortion
2. Robbery suspect shot and killed by Broward Sheriff’s Office
3. BSO deputy arrested for sexual battery
4. BSO deputy facing charges, resigns
5. Broward Sheriff’s Office investigating vehicular homicide

Short URL: https://browardnetonline.com/?p=3455

Posted by Andrea Freygang on Oct 12 2009. Filed under Broward County, Crime, Fort Lauderdale, Local news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry