BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – A Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy remains behind bars after a judge found probable cause Saturday for multiple charges tied to an alleged domestic incident involving his girlfriend.
Michel Quinones, 40, appeared in Broward County bond court following his arrest on Friday.
Jail records show he is facing one count each of robbery by sudden snatching without a weapon, tampering with a witness to hinder or delay communication with law enforcement and battery involving dating violence.
The alleged victim, Tiffany Sastre Carreras, said she believes the charges overstate what happened.
“I don’t think how the state is presenting the case is how the things happened,” she told the judge during Saturday’s court hearing.
Prosecutors said the charges stem from an incident in which Quinones allegedly took the woman’s phone after she said she was going to call police.
“Yes, I did tell him that I was going to call the police and that was, between he grabbed my phone or I gave him the phone,” said Carreras, referring to the moment when the phone was taken.
She explained there was a lapse of time between when she made the statement about calling 911 and when the phone was taken.
“There were probably 20 minutes in between cause I told him I was going to call the cops but that was outside my house and when he grabbed my phone we were already in the garage. I had my phone in my hand but I was not actively trying to call 911,” she said.
Carreras also told the court that she did not feel the robbery charge was appropriate and said she is not afraid of Quinones.
“As far as contact what is your feelings about that?” the judge asked Carreras.
“I’m not concerned. I’m not in fear of my life or anything like that,” she responded.
Still, prosecutors recommended no contact between the two, citing earlier statements made to law enforcement.
“She’s not remembering all correctly based off her statement to law enforcement. There was a pretty violent incident. I would recommend no contact at this time,” said a representative from the state attorney’s office.
The judge ultimately set Quinones’ bond at $5,000, ordered standard pre-trial supervision, and imposed a no harmful contact order. He is also prohibited from possessing weapons or firearms.
BSO officials have not commented on Quinones’ current employment status.
Local 10 News has requested his arrest report.
