MIAMI (AP) — Two former South Florida police officers who are married have been sentenced to prison for illegally selling hundreds of firearms and violating tax laws.
A Miami federal judge on Thursday sentenced former Hialeah police officer Rafael Oscar Valdes to five years behind bars. His wife Tammy Lynn Valdes was sentenced to more than three years in prison. She formerly worked at the West Miami and Golden Beach police departments.
Trial evidence showed the couple illegally sold firearms around the country on the Internet and also at gun shows. These included a number of AR-15 assault-style rifles. Witnesses said Rafael Valdes took weapons parts from the Hialeah Police Department evidence room and sold them.
Authorities say the couple didn’t report $350,000 in income from weapons sales on tax returns.
Source: Associated Press