SoFlo Noir: Pull Over To Hell -

In April 2010, a Police Officer pulled over a driver on the Palmetto Expressway who was carrying $131,000 in cash from gambling winnings. The cop, John Villar Jr, stole the money.

According to prosecutors, Villar and his cousin had conspired with the alleged bookie from a gambling operation to ambush the winner of a couple of big bets.

On Thursday, Villar accepted a plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to numerous charges including strong-arm robbery and aggravated assault with a firearm in connection with the incident. He is expected to serve about three years behind bars. He had been an eight-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Police Department.

The victim of the rip-off, Victor Duarte, was able to quickly find a Florida Highway Patrol trooper to aid him in the recovery of his money.

:: NBC Local 6 :: - - - :: CBS Local 4 ::

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