A Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO) officer was arrested on Thursday in Pompano Beach, Broward, and charged with being involved in a violent domestic violence incident against his fiancée.
The attack, according to authorities, was captured on surveillance video that has been crucial for the arrest.
Terrance Dion Chester, 28 years old, faces charges of kidnapping with bodily harm or intent to terrorize, domestic assault, and misuse of a firearm, according to jail records.
Until Thursday afternoon, he remained in custody without bail at the main detention center in Broward County. His court appearance is scheduled for this Friday.
According to the arrest report accessed by Local 10, the officer and his girlfriend have been engaged to marry for five years and have a two-year-old child. The victim reported that the argument began over financial issues. He allegedly demanded reimbursement for bills he had previously paid, which sparked the confrontation.
The situation escalated quickly. After the woman left her apartment, he followed her to the parking lot, where, according to the report, he hit her in the head, grabbed her by the hair, and forcefully dragged her back to the residence, disregarding her will.
The surveillance video clearly showed the sequence of violence: Chester hits the victim, grabs her by the head, and hits her again.
At one point, he even takes his gun out of his belt and holds it at his side, pointing it toward the ground. Although he didn't fire it, the presence and handling of the weapon during the incident exacerbates the charge of firearm misuse.
When the officers arrived at the scene, they found him dressed in his full MDSO highway patrol uniform, and they noticed a black Glock pistol holstered at his waist.
When attempting to give verbal orders, Chester reportedly moved his hand toward the weapon, but was quickly restrained by the officers. The weapon had a magazine loaded with 15 high-lethality hollow point federal bullets.
Although the woman showed no visible injuries, the officers noticed signs consistent with an assault: her hair was disheveled and there was grass stuck to her clothes. She had managed to leave the house with the child and waited for the police there.
The suspect refused to make a statement to the investigators after being informed of his rights.
The institutional reaction was swift. Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz expressed her outrage in an official statement:
"I am deeply concerned and outraged by the arrest of one of my agents on serious charges related to domestic violence. This behavior is completely unacceptable and directly violates our values and the law. […] I want to make it absolutely clear: no one is above the law," she stated.
The officer was immediately relieved of his duties.
The case brings back to the forefront the urgency of implementing more effective mechanisms to prevent and punish gender-based violence, including (or especially) when the perpetrators are in uniform.
The alleged conduct of Terrance Dion Chester not only threatens the safety of an innocent victim but also undermines public trust in those who have a duty to protect.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Arrest of a Miami-Dade Police Officer for Domestic Violence
What charges is Terrance Dion Chester facing?
Terrance Dion Chester faces charges of kidnapping with bodily harm or intent to terrorize, domestic assault, and misuse of a firearm. These charges stem from a domestic violence incident captured on surveillance video.
What was the response from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office regarding the arrest of its officer?
The Miami-Dade Sheriff, Rosie Cordero-Stutz, expressed her outrage and concern over Chester's arrest, stating that this behavior is completely unacceptable and directly violates the values and the law. Chester was immediately relieved of his duties.
How do these incidents compare to other cases of domestic violence in Miami-Dade?
The case of Chester is part of a series of recent domestic violence incidents recorded in Miami-Dade, where several cases of violent assaults have occurred involving law enforcement officers and civilians, highlighting the need for more effective mechanisms to prevent and sanction gender-based violence.
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