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$2.85 million of counterfeit Tiffany & Co. bracelets seized at MIA

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized about 1,200 counterfeit Tiffany & Co. bracelets at Miami International Airport this week, authorities announced Wednesday.

The bracelets, if genuine, would be worth about $2.85 million.

Authorities said CBP officers suspected that the jewelry, which had been shipped from China, was not authentic because the bracelets did not appear to be of the quality consistent with the jewelry normally manufactured by the company.

Import specialists examined the items and confirmed that the bracelets were counterfeit.

"CBP has an exceptional team of officers and import specialists that are experts in identifying counterfeit goods," said Miami International Airport port director Christopher Maston. "They work closely with the private industry to identify intellectual property infringement."

CBP officers made more than 23,000 seizures of counterfeit goods last fiscal year, which, if genuine, would have an estimated retail value of $1.2 billion.

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Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle Michael Wyche arrested on domestic violence charge

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University of Miami defensive tackle Michael Wyche was arrested Wednesday on a domestic violence charge.

Wyche, who turned 23 Wednesday, is being held on $1,500 bond, with court records showing his arraignment is currently scheduled for Nov. 18. Wyche was also ordered to stay away from the alleged victim.

According to an arrest form, Wyche had an argument with his girlfriend of five years, who is also the mother of his child, regarding their sleeping arrangements. South Miami police officers said the argument escalated and Wyche pushed the woman several times on the bed and slammed her against a wall.

Police said the victim had minor injuries, including a bloody lip and torn clothing.

According to his Miami sports profile, Wyche made his career debut at Louisville and did not record any stats. He recorded his first two tackles against FAMU last year.

Wyche did not play in any of the last three Hurricane games. He did not have an attorney and was being assigned a public defender, according to court records.

In a statement released Wednesday, team spokesman Tom Symonds said the university's athletics department was aware of the arrest and that Wyche has been suspended indefinitely.

Wyche is from Chesapeake, Virginia, and previously attended East L.A. College.

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Video shows car believed to be involved in fatal hit-and-run

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Fort Lauderdale police have released a video that shows a car believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run crash that killed a 15-year-old girl earlier this week.

Jaliah Cross, 15, was struck and killed Monday night while she was crossing the street in the area of Northwest 11th Street and 15th Avenue, just north of Sunrise Boulevard. Her family said she was walking home from a nearby convenience store.

Surveillance video shows a dark-colored car believed to be involved in the crash heading west on East Sunrise Boulevard before making a right turn on 15th Avenue.

Cross was taken to Broward Health Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

On Tuesday night, family and friends held a vigil at the crash site, praying for the aspiring singer and dancer. They planed to hold a justice walk at 6 p.m. Wednesday after officers spent much of the day passing out flyers in hopes of finding someone who has information about the crash.

"She was so loved, so sweet and all she wanted to do was sing and enjoy life," the victim's godmother, Verna Poole, said.

Video: Friends, family march for answers in fatal hit-and-run

Cross' cousin, AJ Brown, was also killed in a recent hit-and-run crash in Dania Beach. His older brother, Kelvron survived the incident.

Cross' family also passed out flyers on Wednesday in hopes of finding the person who hit her.

"You can only hide for so long," Poole said. "You will eventually get caught."

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. A reward of up to $3,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

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Former Margate vice mayor arrested on multiple charges, police say

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A former Margate vice mayor and commissioner has been arrested on multiple charges, the Margate Police Department said.

Police said there was a review of sworn testimony from an investigation and a federal trial concerning allegations of unlawful compensation, bribery, official misconduct and grand theft.

Based on this review, probable cause was established for the arrest of David McLean, police said.

A capias warrant was issued Wednesday by the Broward County State Attorney's Office for McLean's arrest.

Police said McLean was arrested without incident.

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Loose military blimp lands in Pennsylvania

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A blimp associated with NORAD's surveillance of the East Coast that became untethered from its mooring in Maryland is now on the ground and authorities have it secured, Pennsylvania State Police told CNN.

According to NORAD, the blimp "is mostly deflated and located in the vicinity of Moreland Township, Pennsylvania. Local authorities are securing the area and there is a military recovery team en route."

The loose JLENS blimp had been in the air over Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and caused power outages before it came down, Columbia County Department of Public Safety Director Fred Hunsinger said.

The military took no kinetic action to bring it to the ground, according to the Pentagon, though there is no further information at this point about how it came down.

Hunsinger went on to say that there have been no reports of injuries or deaths, but the dragging of the blimp's cable had school leaders taking precautions to protect children as classes began to let out for the day.

There are currently about 15,000 without power in the Bloomsburg area, according to Joe Nixon with PPL Electric. Nixon said they have "reports that the blimp hit power lines in the Bloomsburg area" and that they went to the scene to investigate.

Nixon noted it is rainy and windy in the area.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf's office said that federal authorities and local emergency management personnel have confirmed the aerostat is contained and no longer moving in Montour County.

The state is in touch with local and federal authorities, including the State Police and National Guard, to secure the aerostat's downed equipment.

"These agencies will continue to be on scene to secure the area and ask all residents to remain away from the scene," the office said in a statement.

The military had been planning to scramble helicopters that can land next to the JLENS when it comes down in order to secure it.

Two F-16s scrambled from the New Jersey National Guard had been tracking the JLENS aerostat, a Pentagon official said, after the aircraft came loose from its mooring station in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

The FAA also tracked the balloon to keep it safely separated from other air traffic.

JLENS, which is short for Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System, is a system of two aerostats, or tethered airships, that float 10,000 feet in the air. The helium-filled aerostats, each nearly as long as a football field, carry powerful radars that can protect a territory roughly the size of Texas from airborne threats.

NORAD spokesman Mike Kucharek said that it is not yet clear why the blimp got loose, and that is part of an investigation.

The two blimps, put in the air to better protect the Washington, D.C., area from cruise missiles and other possible air attacks, were launched this winter.

The military official said the JLENS has remote deflation technology, but it may not be working. They provide 360 degrees of defensive radar coverage and can detect and track objects like missiles and manned and unmanned aircraft from up to 340 miles away.

Raytheon, which produces the aircraft, described the likelihood that the tether would break as "very small" in a post to its website made before the blimp became unmooored.

"The chance of that happening is very small because the tether is made of Vectran and has withstood storms in excess of 100 knots," the Raytheon post states. "However, in the unlikely event it does happen, there are a number of procedures and systems in place which are designed to bring the aerostat down in a safe manner."

At the time of their launch, the company said the 242-foot-long aerostats would be tethered to the ground by "super-strong" cables. The tethering system was designed to withstand 100 mph winds, according to Raytheon.

The helium-filled aerostats can stay aloft for up to 30 days at a time

The aerostats carry technology that almost doubles the reach of current ground radar detection, officials connected with the project said at the time of its lauch.

The blimps have no firing capability and don't carry cameras. Any response to missile attacks would still come from ground missiles, ships and airplanes, according to NORAD.

Family members questioned in death of Coral Springs woman

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A woman who was shot and killed inside her Coral Springs home Tuesday morning has been identified by police as Marilyn Clark Bevins.

The shooting was reported about 4 a.m. at a home in the 4700 block of Northwest 87th Lane.

Police said Bevins, 60, was found with multiple gunshot wounds. She was taken to Broward Health North, where she was pronounced dead.

Police said they are not searching for a shooter, but are questioning family members who were home at the time of the shooting.

"They're continuing to interview them to see who was in the house at the time, (and) who had contact with her so they can better develop who committed this crime," Capt. Brad McKeone said.

No suspects have been named in the case.

Neighbors said they were awoken by about four shots, but said they weren't aware that the family had any issues.

"I really can't say anything about any kind of disputes with family or stuff like that," neighbor Dorothy Green said. "They seem really nice (and) quiet, just like the rest of the neighborhood."

Anyone with any information on the shooting is asked to contact Detective David Young at 954-346-1219.

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Tires stolen at 3 Tri-Rail station parking lots

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Police are investigating after tires were reported stolen yet again from Tri-Rail stations in Broward County.

The Dania Beach Tri-Rail park-and-ride lot is one of three lots where commuters found their cars on bricks and their tires and rims gone.

Police believe that the culprits operate as fast as a NASCAR pit crew.

"I was shocked. I said, 'Here we go again,' because I saw it on the news," Donette Outar said. "It pains my heart. Hardworking people trying to make a living. This is what happened."

Two stunned commuters told Local 10 News reporter Todd Tongen that they found their cars on bricks and their tires gone after returning from work on Tuesday.

The same crime was reported at the Sheridan Street station in June and the Fort Lauderdale station in August.

Police said they believe that the thieves operate in the daytime.

A representative from the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority said they are trying to catch the crooks, but one of Tuesday's victims said she had no idea that the thefts were going on and said Tri-Rail officials should have warned its commuters.

"There were no announcements. There were no signs to say that you're parking at your own risk, commuters please be aware, a security alert, nothing," Cidya Grant, whose tires were stolen, said.

"It's very concerning. This is a very serious issue and we are taking measures to deal with it," South Florida Regional Transportation Authority spokeswoman Bonnie Arnold said.

Arnold said security has been stepped up at many of the Tri-Rail stations in the area.

Follow Todd Tongen on Twitter@toddtongen

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Man put into medically induced coma after e-cigarette explodes in face

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Investigators believe a lithium battery in an electronic cigarette exploded Monday, causing severe internal and external burns to a Naples man who is being treated at Kendall Regional Medical Center.

Evan Spahlinger's family said the incident happened just one week after his 21st birthday.

He now remains sedated in a hospital bed, suffering from severe burns after the e-cigarette he was smoking exploded in his face.

"I haven't cried yet, but I'm sure I'll have my day," his mother, Alissa Stefanicci, said.

Spahlinger's mother has been by his side since the accident Monday morning. His burns were so bad he was airlifted to Kendall Regional Medical Center's burn unit after his sister found him gasping for air in their Naples home.

"She went toward the explosion to find him completely covered in black, what appeared to be soot, throwing up (and) foaming from the mouth," Stefanicci said.

Doctors decided Tuesday to put Spahlinger in a medically induced coma. They said the blast also burned his lungs.

"I hope that people see this and think twice before they spend their hard-earned money on something that could really change their life forever," Stefanicci said.

Before being put into the coma, Spahlinger's family said he told them that he was done smoking e-cigarettes.

Follow Erica Rakow on Twitter@EricaRakow

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State attorney addresses Corey Jones shooting outside Palm Beach County courthouse

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Palm Beach County state attorney Dave Aronberg addressed a crowd of several hundred people Wednesday about the Corey Jones shooting during a rally outside the county courthouse.

Police said Jones, 31, was stranded on the side of Interstate 95 in Palm Beach Gardens on Oct. 18 when he was approached by Officer Nouman Raja.

"Officer Raja was not in uniform," Aronberg said at the rally. "Six shots were fired from the officer's gun and six casings were recovered. Corey Jones was shot three times."

Jones, who worked for a public housing agency and was also a drummer in a band, was leaving a performance early that morning when his car ran into trouble.

Police said Jones had a gun in his car, but his family’s attorney said Jones never fired a shot.

"It's very painful to go through such as we're going through," Jones' grandfather, Sylvester Banks, said at the rally. "But through it all, in the midst of it all, we have God on our side."

Cellphone records show that Jones had called for roadside assistance shortly before the fatal shooting.

Protesters seeking justice for Jones demanded answers about what happened prior to the shooting, but Arongberg told the crowd that he was ethically barred from divulging details about the investigation.

Follow Local 10 News on Twitter@TVTerrell

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Man arrested in kidnapping of Miami Dade College student

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Miami-Dade police have arrested a man in the armed kidnapping and robbery of a Miami Dade College student.

The incident was reported April 28 at the college's Kendall campus.

According to an arrest warrant, Samantha Valdes, 20, was sitting in her car inside a parking garage when she was approached by Dmitriy Sergunin, 35, who asked her for directions to Building R.

As she was giving him directions, Sergunin pulled out a handgun and told her, "I'm going to get in the car. You're going to remain calm," police said.

Valdes was ordered to drive to a Chase Bank to take out money from an ATM.

Police said Valdes noticed that Sergunin was carrying a long-needled syringes filled with a clear liquid, and lunged at him in an attempt to take it away.

A brief struggle ensued and Sergunin grabbed his gun and pointed it at Valdes again, police said.

The victim took $300 out of her Chase Bank account. Police said Sergunin told her, "All this for $300? Don't you have any other cards?" Valdes told him that she didn't and she was ordered to drive back to the campus.

Police said Sergunin took a photo of Valdes' driver’s license and threatened her not to call police because he now had her address.

In fear for her life, Valdes reminded the man that he promised not to hurt her. "Don't worry, I told you  I wouldn't," Sergunin said, according to the arrest warrant. "Aren't I the nicest robber ever?"

Police said Sergunin had most of his face concealed but Valdes noticed his rotting teeth and said he smelled heavily of cigarettes.

An anonymous tip lead to his arrest. Detectives said DNA evidence taken from the inside front-passenger door handle also linked Sergunin to the crime.

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On this day: October 30

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Orson Welles broadcasts "The War of the Worlds," buffalo wings are born, Ali and Foreman square off in the "Rumble in the Jungle," and Michael Jordan returns to the NBA, all on this day.

Man accused of stealing luggage at Miami International Airport

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A man is facing grand theft charges for stealing luggage from Miami International Airport over the course of two months, police said.

According to an arrest report, Ludwing Laboriel, 35, went to the airport at least four times to steal passengers' luggage.

The thefts were reported Sept. 21, Sept. 28, Oct. 9 and Oct. 18. Police said more than $1,000 worth of personal items were stolen in each incident.

A woman whose bag was stolen from the American Airlines baggage carousel on Sept. 28 told detectives that another passenger informed her that he noticed a suspicious man pacing around the carousel. The passenger said the man was wearing a white shirt, blue jeans and red shoes.

Detectives viewed surveillance video from the airport, and said they saw the same man stealing luggage from various baggage carousels on at least four occasions.

A detective working at the airport on Tuesday spotted Laboriel, who fit the description of the thief, and notified another detective.

According to the report, both detectives followed Laboriel to the his car and asked him for identification.

Police said Laboriel didn't have an ID on him, but he claimed that his name was Luis Colon. A fingerprint ID system determined that Laboriel was lying about his identity, police said.

Laboriel was taken into custody on charges of grand theft and resisting an officer without violence.

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2 people arrested in Halloween Horror Nights attacks at Universal

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Two people have been arrested for attacks on Universal Orlando team members at Halloween Horror Nights, police said.

One of the employees told police he was working as a scare actor in "The Walking Dead House." According to an arrest affidavit, William Nunnally, 28, punched the actor in the face.

The actor told police that Nunnally turned and looked directly at him after he performed his scare. The actor said he did not make contact with any guest and Nunnally turned, faced him, clinched his fist and punched him in the face, according to police.

Police said the actor needed medical treatment and was treated at the scene.

Nunnally told police he might have "accidentally hit" an actor but denied punching, according to the arrest affidavit.

Another victim told police that he was working as a scare actor for the event. According to an arrest affidavit, the actor said Karla Rondan Diaz, 32, approached him as he stood on stilts for his position.

The actor told police Rondan Diaz kicked the stilts twice, which almost caused him to fall to the ground. He told her to stop in an attempt to prevent her from kicking and causing him to fall.

Nunnally and Rondan Diaz face battery charges.

These latest arrests come after WKMG-TV reported about two scare actors quitting Halloween Horror Nights for being attacked. Universal said it has zero tolerance for these kinds of incidents, the station said.

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Patriots pound Dolphins 36-7

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Even when they look sluggish, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots still dominate.

Brady threw for 356 yards and four touchdowns -- two to Julian Edelman -- and the Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins 36-7 on Thursday night to become the first of the NFL's five unbeaten teams to reach seven wins.

Stephen Gostkowski broke Adam Vinatieri's franchise record for consecutive field goals by connecting from 52 and 36 yards to make it 26 in a row. Rob Gronkowski had 113 yards receiving and a touchdown, and Dion Lewis had 93 yards receiving and one score.

[WATCH: Fins Flash: Clay's take on Dolphins' loss to Patriots]

The loss was the first for Miami (3-4) under interim coach Dan Campbell. The Dolphins scored 82 points in wins over the lowly Titans and Texans in Campbell's first two games after replacing Joe Philbin.

But they were completely overmatched against the defending Super Bowl champions.

It could be an even bigger loss for the Dolphins because four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Wake was carted off the field with an Achilles tendon injury.

The Patriots are 7-0 for the second time in franchise history and first time since going 16-0 in 2007. They've scored at least 28 points in every game and 30 or more in six straight.

SUV strikes, kills woman standing at Lauderdale Lakes bus stop

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The Broward Sheriff's Office is investigating after an SUV crashed into a bus stop in Lauderdale Lakes, killing a woman.

The crash was reported about 1: 15 p.m. on Oakland Park Boulevard at U.S. 441.

Sky 10 was above the scene as deputies blocked off the area.

According to deputies, Jerdy Germain, 39, was driving a Nissan Pathfinder west on Oakland Park Boulevard when she somehow drove onto the sidewalk.

Nelita Ali-Barker, 45, got pinned between the bumper of the SUV and one of the columns of the bus stop. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies said Germain was taken to a hospital as a precaution.

The westbound lanes of Oakland Park Boulevard were shut down for three hours while homicide detectives spoke to witnesses and collected evidence.

Deputies said speed and impairment do are not believed to be factors in the crash, and Germain is not expected to face any criminal charges.

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Passenger with cocaine in books, brandy arrested at MIA, CBP officials say

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More than 17 pounds of cocaine concealed in purses, jackets, pillows, books and brandy carried by a passenger arriving from Lima, Peru, was seized by authorities at Miami International Airport, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said.

CBP officers noticed during a secondary inspection Oct. 9 a strong odor emanating from the passenger's luggage.

When officers examined the contents of the luggage, they discovered irregular stitching in the jackets and purses, CBP officials said.

RELATED: Cocaine found in passenger's fried fish at MIA

Inspection of those items revealed multiple black plastic packages containing a white powder, which later tested positive for cocaine, according to CBP officials.

Officers discovered cocaine concealed in additional items including books, pillows and liquid cocaine concealed in bottles of brandy.

"This seizure is an excellent example of our CBP officers' tenacity," said MIA Port Director Christopher Maston. "They have great intuition and work ferociously to find hidden narcotics being smuggled into the U.S. We are proud of their dedication to the mission."

Officials said the passenger was arrested. All evidence was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations.

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Man shot, killed in Miramar driveway

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Miramar police are investigating after a man was shot and killed in his driveway Thursday morning.

Police said Darcy Jenkins Jr., 28, was shot off Miramar Parkway when he was coming home from work at his father's barbeque restaurant.

Jenkins' wife, who is an Opa-locka police officer, said her husband and father of three was shot by two men.

"I don't know what happened. I am living a nightmare," Corporal Nikeya Jenkins said. "What am I supposed to tell all of my children? What am I supposed to tell my children? They just gunned him down like a dog in the street."

Police said dozens of bullets were shot at Jenkins' car and home, which leads detectives to believe that Jenkins was trying to run away.

"He was a family man. Did everything for his friends and family," a resident in the neighborhood said. "Always willing to help out. He has no enemies. He has thousands of friends."

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People pay money to buy popularity

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It appears people are paying money to gain popularity on Twitter, but is it real?

Police manual may provide answers in Corey Jones shooting

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Since Corey Jones was fatally shot by a police officer along Interstate 95 in Palm Beach Gardens, the officer's actions have been called into question. Local 10 News has obtained the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department's policy and procedures handbook, which every officer is sworn to follow.     

Police said Jones, 31, was stranded on the side of Interstate 95 in Palm Beach Gardens on Oct. 18 when he was approached by Officer Nouman Raja, who was not in his uniform and was not carrying his badge.

What happened next is unclear, but Jones, who had a gun but never fired it, was shot and killed.

According to the Palm Beach Gardens police manual, officers are first supposed to advise dispatch of their intentions before conducting general traffic stops. They are then supposed to activate their vehicle's blue and red lights.

According to the manual, officers should approach the vehicle and "be continuously alert for suspicious movement and actions."

Officers are also instructed to carry their badge and official ID card at all times, whether on or off duty.

Three separate investigations are underway regarding the shooting.

"These investigations can take months. Our office is committed to transparency and we have shared pertinent information with the family and attorneys," Palm Beach County State Attorney David Aronberg said.

Meanwhile, the Jones family is preparing for Jones' funeral, which is scheduled for Saturday in West Palm Beach. The Rev. Al Sharpton is expected to speak.  

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Miami officer with porn past fights back against accuser

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A Miami police officer who had a secret past in pornographic videos is fighting back against her accuser.

Sabine Raymonvil, who became a police officer in 2007, recently filed a restraining order in court, alleging that Melvin Cochran, the man who started the investigation into her past and released the hardcore videos, retaliated against her after she ended her romantic relationship with him. In the report, she claims Cochran, 59, who is married, has stalked her, made false statements about her to another police officer, and that he alleged to the media that she was involved in a "criminal pornography enterprise." She even claimed she "fears for her life."

[RELATED: Miami cop performed in pornographic movies | Miami cop believed sex tapes would further modeling career]

Cochran not only denied stalking Raymonvil but also denied they ever had anything but a professional relationship during a close association between the two, dating back to 2005, when Raymonvil was 20 years old.

A judge denied Raymonvil's injunction and a petition to seal the records from public view. Cochran said his first role in Raymonvil's life was helping her with her fledgling modeling and acting career. He also admitted introducing Raymonvil to porn actor Emerson Callum, with whom she would appear in pornographic videos and who was later sentenced to life in prison by the feds for allegedly drugging and raping women prior to videotaping them having sex.

"She was doing videos with a lot of people, and they were paying her," said Cochran.

One question facing the internal investigation is whether Raymonvil was untruthful when she didn't list the porn as part of her complete work history as required in her police application. It's the same omission that got ex-cop Mike Verdugo fired in 2009 after it was learned he appeared in a gay porn film prior to his hiring at the Hollywood Police Department.

But Raymonvil's attorney, Adam Horowitz, said mentioning the porn was not necessary, because she was never paid for it. He said his client appeared in the videos at Cochran's urging to "practice for the casting couch" to help advance her modeling and acting career.

But that career was not taking off, and in 2006, Raymonvil got a job as a property clerk at the Miami Police Department, a job Cochran said he helped her get through his own police officer friends. When she applied to become a police officer the following year, she listed Cochran as both a former employer and a her emergency contact. Cochran said Raymonvil told him she didn't pass the polygraph test, but her hiring documents show background investigators found "no information to substantiate the areas of concern" regarding the lie detector and approved her for employment anyway.

Cochran said Raymonvil hid the fact that she had dated a drug dealer shortly before her hiring at the police department from investigators as well. Police records show Raymonvil complained to police in June 2006 that her then-boyfriend pulled a 9mm pistol on her at the Miami apartment complex where she was living.

The police report clearly lists the boyfriend's occupation as "narcotics sales." Records show Raymonvil was later evicted from the apartment complex as a result of the incident. When Raymonvil applied to become a police officer, she denied that had never associated with anyone anyone known to be involved in illegal activity.

Not only did the police department apparently fail to uncover its own police report involving Raymonvil, but also that Raymonvil had been evicted from her apartment, even though she listed the apartment complex phone number in her application. When questioned about it, a police department representative told Local 10 News those issues are now part of the internal investigation.

Cochran is also under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for his actions in the case, including questions regarding his truthfulness with Miami police in filing the internal investigation against Raymonvil. He said he legally obtained the videotapes, but his role in the production of the videos is murky. He said the trouble between them began when a transportation business they were involved in went bust and was involved in a lawsuit.

"I've known her a long time, and I trusted her, and she backstabbed me," said Cochran, who has owned several businesses.

He said he didn't use the tapes as extortion on his long-time friend and partner, but that he told he had them and that he would "hold onto them until the lawsuit goes through." He said it was only after she claimed in police reports that he was stalking her did he go to internal affairs with the tapes and release them to the media. He said he has considered marketing the videos.

"A Miami officer who is doing X-rated porn?" he said. "It's a gold mine."

Follow Bob Norman on Twitter @NormanOn10

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