Manuel "Manny" Fernández, a 55-year-old former lieutenant of the Miami-Dade Fire Department (MDFR), was arrested last Monday following an extensive investigation that uncovered the placement of hidden cameras in the restrooms of two county fire stations.
The case, which has shocked the community and the local fire department, began on April 1, 2023, when an employee at station MDFR 69, located in Doral, discovered a suspicious device in the men's bathroom.
The object, which appeared to be a wall charger with a USB port, turned out to contain a hidden camera with a micro-SD card.
Upon reviewing the contents of the card, the authorities found over 600 video clips recorded between February 11 and April 1 of that year.
The images showed 18 employees - men and women - captured in moments of high privacy and vulnerability inside the station's restrooms.
During the analysis of the material, the researchers identified 11 of the victims and observed in one of the videos a white man, dressed in a gray MDFR uniform shirt and wearing a silver watch on his left wrist, manipulating the camera.
Although the face was not visible, the subject's hands were seen adjusting the device.
Subsequently, another video was found recorded in the exclusive women's bathroom of station 66, located in Homestead.
Upon reviewing the staff schedules of the two stations, the Police determined that Fernández was the only employee who had worked at both on the days corresponding to the recordings.
That discovery proved crucial for linking him to the events.
When the investigation began to take shape in April 2023, and after the camera was discovered, Fernández abruptly entered a rehabilitation center, according to an internal memo addressed to the fire chief, Raied "Ray" Jadallah.
During an attempted interview by authorities at that center, Fernández refused to testify in the absence of a lawyer. On that occasion, he was wearing a watch similar to the one seen in the videos.
The Fire Department assigned him to administrative tasks with pay from home after the Police informed them that he was the main suspect. Ultimately, he resigned from his position in March 2024.
The arrest warrant was issued on July 2, 2025. Fernández was arrested days later at the police station in the city of Doral and was subsequently released after posting a bail of $27,500.
He is currently facing 11 formal charges of video voyeurism.
The Miami-Dade Fire Department issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to the safety and well-being of its employees, highlighting that they have fully cooperated with authorities during the investigation.
For his part, Chief Jadallah described the situation as "serious" and assured total transparency in the process.
The case is still under active investigation by the Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office, which does not rule out the possibility of filing additional charges.
Frequently asked questions about the arrest of the former Miami-Dade firefighter for voyeurism
Who is Manuel “Manny” Fernández and why was he arrested?
Manuel "Manny" Fernández is a former lieutenant of the Miami-Dade Fire Department who was arrested for placing hidden cameras in the restrooms of two fire stations. The cameras recorded his colleagues in extremely private situations.
How many videos were found and how many people were affected by voyeurism?
Authorities found more than 600 video clips that showed images of 18 employees in moments of high privacy. Of the 18 individuals, 11 have been identified as direct victims of Fernández's voyeurism.
How did the authorities manage to link Fernández to the events?
The authorities reviewed the staff schedules at the stations where the cameras were installed and determined that Fernández was the only employee present at both stations on the days of the recordings. Additionally, a video shows him handling a camera, although his face is not visible.
What actions did the Miami-Dade Fire Department take following the incident?
The Miami-Dade Fire Department issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to the safety and well-being of its employees. They fully cooperated with the authorities during the investigation, and Fernández was placed in administrative duties before his resignation in 2024.
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