A St. Cloud police officer was arrested and charged after discovering that she used a deceased man’s credit card to make several purchases.
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Dianne Ferreira,25, was accused of theft of credit card information with the intent to use, fraudulent use of a credit card over $200, and use of the personal ID of a deceased person. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Tuesday that she was one of the officers who responded to a 911 call about a man who had trouble breathing on April 3. Still, he had already passed away once Ferriera and her colleague arrived at the scene.
On April 14, the man’s widow noticed on his credit card statement that his card was still active and said it was used the day after he died. She decided to contact the St. Cloud Police Department to file a complaint. The charges included multiple purchases of gas, Wendy’s order, and a stay at a hotel.
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Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez said the charges occurred when the officer wasn’t working. Ferriera reportedly resigned after an interview during the investigation. Investigators said she had no prior disciplinary history before the incident and signed up for the force in February 2022.
“I want to offer my sincerest apologies to the victim of this horrible incident. To take advantage of a person in a time of need is absolutely reprehensible,” said the police chief. “We engage the public on a daily basis to build trust and legitimacy for our agency. That being said, I have no tolerance for officers who harm the community or violate its trust.
According to Law and Crime, investigators learned about the charges after noting the suspect’s vehicle’s model and a description of its driver. They aligned the description of Ferriera after learning she was the owner. During her interview, she confessed to photographing the deceased man’s credit card and entering it on multiple mobile apps to make several purchases that totaled up to $450.
When police officers commit fraud in Florida, they could face criminal and administrative consequences. Criminal consequences can include being charged with various offenses, depending on the nature and severity of the fraud. These charges could include theft, embezzlement, money laundering, or other white-collar crimes. The officer could face fines, probation, and/or imprisonment if convicted.
Administrative consequences could include disciplinary action taken by the police department or agency, including suspension, termination, or other sanctions. The officer could also face civil lawsuits filed by the victims of the fraud.