Three other police officers who were brought up on disciplinary charges had their fates decided by a police tribunal today. In March, Corporals Sam Bonilla and Clifford Alvarez and Constable Emerson Castillo were accused of raiding the home of a Taiwanese man, planting cocaine in the home and then stealing $500 from the homeowner.
They were taken before a police tribunal and after hearings, the verdict was handed down today. It was recommended that Corporal Alvarez be dismissed, and Constable Castillo was found not guilty of planting the drugs, while Bonilla was found not guilty of stealing the $500. Bonilla still has to pay the homeowner one thousand dollars in compensation, for money, he was found not guilty of stealing! Bonilla was also fined $200 for prejudice to good order and discipline.
No word on whether the homeowner will now be charged for cocaine possession – since it was found to have been “not planted” or the over 100 live rounds of ammunition found in his home.
