Former Miami Beach police officer Kevin Perez has been sentenced to six months probation after being found guilty of simple battery related to the forceful arrest of a tourist in Miami Beach four years ago. This sentence comes despite the initial felony battery charges brought against Perez and four other officers who were involved in the incident at the Royal Palm South Beach Miami Hotel. Surveillance video captured the officers handcuffing tourist Dalonta Crudup and subsequently showed him being kicked and punched repeatedly while on the ground, according to a report by WSVN.
At the sentencing held yesterday, Judge Alberto Milian of the Miami-Dade Circuit Court withheld adjudication, which allows Perez to avoid a formal conviction and jail time. "I don’t think jail is called for," Milian was quoted as saying in Local10. The defense had initially secured a new trial, which was later overturned by the Third District Court of Appeals. Despite the state and Crudup's mother advocating for incarceration, the court did not find it necessary and instead imposed the probationary period with the potential for early termination by Perez.
In court, Crudup's mother spoke on her son's behalf, urging for accountability and expressing concern that such behavior by an officer could remain unchecked. During the trial, several family members and fellow officers displayed their support for Perez, including Sgt. Ricardo Castillo who attributed his survival in a dangerous line of duty incident to Perez, "I would’ve died that day if it weren’t for Yamile Cervero and Kevin Perez," he told Local10.
Judge Milian, also mentioned Crudup's criminal history during the sentencing, but assured Crudup's mother that her son still has "a lot of living to do if he follows the law." Milian stated, "Thank God things haven’t been worse for him," reported by Local10. There was no comment from any of the parties on the outcome of the sentencing.
The conditions and duration of Perez's probation have not been elaborated upon, and as of this report, there is no indication whether Perez will seek to rejoin the police force.
