June 15--FORT LAUDERDALE -- Suspended Broward Sheriff's Deputy David Wimberley was sentenced Friday to 30 days in jail and 12 months' probation for lying in police reports he filed following the Feb. 2010 arrest of a man at a Tamarac 7-11.
"I like you, Mr. Wimberley," said Broward Circuit Judge Ilona Holmes. "But I do have a job. There has to be a punishment for a violation of the public trust... You are entrusted to protect the public and to serve with integrity."
Wimberley was allowed out on bond while his attorney appeals his sentence.
In his arrest report, Wimberley accused Troy Baldeo, now 47, of behaving in a belligerent manner, yelling and clenching his fists before Wimberley and another deputy, Brian Swadkins, were compelled to take him into custody.
A video recording of the incident showed Baldeo standing calmly before he is approached by Wimberley, exhibiting none of the behavior attributed to him.
Wimberley, 39, was found guilty May 4 of two misdemeanor counts of falsifying records, each count punishable by under one year in prison.
Similar charges against Swadkins are pending.
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Copyright 2012 - Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
