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The man accused of shooting a sheriff's deputy in the head Aug. 6 told his probation officer weeks earlier that he used illegal drugs, falsely claimed to be a U.S. Marine heading to Iraq and committed other actions that could have landed him in jail but were ignored by correction officials, state records show. Probation files for David I. Maldonado obtained by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel also show he listed his job as an armed security guard in Miami, even though it is illegal for felons and probationers to carry weapons. The 70-page file contains no evidence that probation officers ever contacted the company to confirm his job status and make sure he had given up his guns, as required by law. Maldonado was placed on probation in April after being found guilty of felony driving with a revoked license, the latest of at least 23 traffic and 14 administrative violations that include reckless driving, speeding and repeatedly driving without a license. He was driving illegally when he shot Broward Sheriff's Deputy Maury Hernandez during a traffic stop in Pembroke Park, police said. Hernandez remains in a hospital in critical condition. Maldonado, who denies shooting the deputy, is jailed without bond on charges including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. The state files outline a series of what correction officials now acknowledge were omissions and false statements by Maldonado that went unchallenged. The files show probation officers repeatedly failed to verify his employment and personal information, including Maldonado's claim to be living on the same street in two cities. This week, Department of Corrections officials acknowledged its workers made mistakes, including at least one "typing error" and other "inconsistencies" in the probation file. Officials declined to explain why Maldonado was not found to be in violation of probation when he admitted using drugs or when he claimed to be working as an armed security guard.
If a person is found to be in violation of probation, they can be sent to jail without bond until the case is resolved, a process that can take several months. Even while admitting mistakes were made, officials said they think their overall handling of Maldonado's case was in line with department standards. "Everything was done by the book," said DOC spokeswoman Jo Ellyn Rackleff. "Any mistakes were errors in judgment made by a probation officer four months out of the academy who had 100 cases.“ During his first meeting with correction officials in April, Maldonado said he carried a weapon for his job at Dunbar Securities in Miami, but did not include the company's street address or telephone number. Correction department files show Maldonado was warned at least twice that he couldn't carry a gun, even for work, without a judge's order. But no one from the department visited the company or called to make sure he was no longer armed, the records show. In fact, there is no evidence in the file proving he worked for Dunbar. On May 11, Maldonado filed a second monthly probation form saying he still worked at Dunbar, which he then spelled "Dumbar," again leaving off the telephone number and address of the company. He listed his supervisor's name as Samuel Jackson on one form and Julio Oliva on another. A spokesman for Maryland-based Dunbar Armored said Maldonado never worked for the company and that the Florida Department of Corrections never inquired about him. On June 18, Maldonado called Probation Officer Daunte Foster to tell him he had lost his security job because of his "inability to carry a firearm." Foster this week told his supervisors he verified the firing that day, but there is no record of the phone call — or even an address or telephone number for Dunbar — anywhere in the file. On Friday, correction officials said Foster "threw away" the telephone number after making the call and there is no way to verify his statements. The department said it believes Foster, adding Maldonado may have tricked the probation officer by giving him a phone number that belonged to a friend, who helped fake his employment status. Ten days after the reported firing, on June 28, Maldonado acknowledged on his monthly probation report that he had used illegal drugs and consumed alcohol in the previous 30 days. Both are violations of his probation, and he was given a drug test that day. The drug test, and negative result, weren't entered into the probation file until one day after Deputy Hernandez was shot. Staff Researcher William Lucey contributed to this report. John Holland can be reached at jholland@sun-sentinel.com or at 954-356-4516.
Broward Sheriff’s Office
Detective Maury Hernandez
A get well prayer is sent with love, a special request to God above. That His healing touch soon be on the way, bringing for you well and brighter days. May from your loving heart once again, flow with happiness a joyous song. May all the days ahead of you be kind, blessing you with a healthy body, soul and mind. Please know our special friend that for you with love we are always here. God bless you abundantly, is our prayer. Always safely to be kept in His loving care. Maury…We will continue to pray for your recovery. IPA Region 11
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