A City of Miami firefighter is facing a stack of serious domestic violence felonies after his latest arrest, the second time in less than a year that the veteran first responder has been taken into custody.
Investigators identified the suspect as Maximo Vasquez Jr., a 16-year veteran of Miami Fire Rescue, who was booked on June 1 on new counts that include assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery and false imprisonment, according to WSVN. The station reported that authorities have laid out the full slate of charges and say their investigation is still active.
Previous Clash With Deputies
This is not Vasquez’s first run-in with law enforcement. He was previously arrested after deputies answering a missing-person call said he became “visibly irate” and threw a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office case card at a deputy, leading to misdemeanor charges last year, as reported by Local 10. According to Local 10, that earlier incident prompted Miami Fire Rescue to open an internal review.
How Serious The Charges Are
Under state law, aggravated battery is a felony that can carry a prison term of up to 15 years, and false imprisonment is also classified as a felony with its own potential penalties, according to the Florida Statutes. The involvement of a deadly weapon can raise the stakes even further by increasing both the severity of the charges and the possible sentence.
What Investigators Say Happened
Investigators told WSVN that Vasquez had reported his wife missing and repeatedly called 911 before deputies arrived, a chain of events that officials say led to the domestic violence investigation and the latest round of charges. Authorities have not released booking details, bond information or court dates in the new case.
Wider Pattern Of Firefighter Scrutiny
The arrest adds to a string of recent misconduct and disciplinary stories involving Miami-area firefighters. In March, Hoodline reported that an ex-Miami firefighter pleaded guilty to felony charges. Vasquez’s case remains open and will move through the criminal courts as prosecutors review the allegations and evidence against him.
