NYPD Officer Accused of Fabricating Evidence in Queens Gun Case, Charged With Perjury
A 48-year-old NYPD officer has been suspended without pay and charged with perjury and other crimes related to a botched gun possession case in Queens. The investigation into Officer Miguel Vanbrakle began after his body camera footage contradicted his account of the events surrounding a search warrant executed at a home in Cambria Heights last October.
According to prosecutors, Vanbrakle claimed to have recovered a loaded .38-caliber revolver and a New York state benefit card belonging to the homeowner's fiancé during the search. However, the homeowner had stated that the gun belonged to her. Despite this discrepancy, the fiancé was indicted on weapons possession charges, only to have the case dismissed in December.
Vanbrakle's own body camera footage revealed that he had actually removed a shoe box from the living room, taken the benefit card from it, and placed it in the safe where the gun was later found. Prosecutors have accused Vanbrakle of planting evidence to tie the fiancé to the gun, but the Police Benevolent Association, which represents Vanbrakle, disputes this characterization.
"We are entitled to due process, not a rush to judgment based on a misleading press release," said Patrick Hendry, president of the PBA. "The facts will come out in court." The union claims that the various pieces of evidence recovered during the search were part of the NYPD's vouchering process and do not reflect Vanbrakle's actions.
Vanbrakle faces up to seven years in prison if convicted on charges including falsifying business records, tampering with physical evidence, official misconduct, and making a punishable false written statement. He is set to appear in court on February 23.
A 48-year-old NYPD officer has been suspended without pay and charged with perjury and other crimes related to a botched gun possession case in Queens. The investigation into Officer Miguel Vanbrakle began after his body camera footage contradicted his account of the events surrounding a search warrant executed at a home in Cambria Heights last October.
According to prosecutors, Vanbrakle claimed to have recovered a loaded .38-caliber revolver and a New York state benefit card belonging to the homeowner's fiancé during the search. However, the homeowner had stated that the gun belonged to her. Despite this discrepancy, the fiancé was indicted on weapons possession charges, only to have the case dismissed in December.
Vanbrakle's own body camera footage revealed that he had actually removed a shoe box from the living room, taken the benefit card from it, and placed it in the safe where the gun was later found. Prosecutors have accused Vanbrakle of planting evidence to tie the fiancé to the gun, but the Police Benevolent Association, which represents Vanbrakle, disputes this characterization.
"We are entitled to due process, not a rush to judgment based on a misleading press release," said Patrick Hendry, president of the PBA. "The facts will come out in court." The union claims that the various pieces of evidence recovered during the search were part of the NYPD's vouchering process and do not reflect Vanbrakle's actions.
Vanbrakle faces up to seven years in prison if convicted on charges including falsifying business records, tampering with physical evidence, official misconduct, and making a punishable false written statement. He is set to appear in court on February 23.
Vanbrakle's actions are basically like something out of a bad cop show, and now he's facing serious time. The fact that his own body cam footage contradicted his story is just the icing on the cake. I'm all for due process and whatnot, but this is some next-level BS. 
It's not exactly a shock that the Police Benevolent Association is sticking up for him, though – they always look out for their own interests first. Still, this whole thing reeks of a botched investigation and a cover-up. Fingers crossed justice gets served on February 23... 
NYPD officer fabricating evidence? that's like something out of a movie! I'm not surprised though cuz police can be super sketchy sometimes. but like, perjury and all these other crimes? that's serious stuff. I hope Vanbrakle gets what's coming to him tho, he needs to make an example outta himself so others don't try this kinda thing in the future. but at the same time, I feel bad for his fam and the fact that he got in trouble over a misunderstanding... anywayz, I'm def watching this case unfold on the news and will be low-key rooting for justice
. and now he's facing some serious prison time... like, what's the point of even having an investigation if you're just gonna plant evidence? 
it's just not right, you know?
can u believe this dude got caught red handed? like how could he just fabricate evidence and put innocent ppl's lives at risk? 
the fact that he planted evidence to tie the fiancé to the gun is straight up despicable 
and now he's gonna face 7 years in prison if convicted...that's a pretty steep price to pay for his mistakes 
. I mean, we all know the system's flawed, but this takes it to another level. It's like he wanted that guy to take a plea deal and get outta there. Vanbrakle's gonna get his 7 years if he gets convicted 
. Anyway, I hope Vanbrakle's lawyers can get him off on this one 
.
. The fact that Vanbrakle is being charged with perjury and other crimes sends a strong message that we won't tolerate this kind of behavior 
.
This is a total mess! I mean, how can you fabricate evidence like that? It's not just about the officer, it's about the entire system failing. I'm all for holding people accountable, but this is ridiculous. The fact that the fiancé got indicted and then had the case dismissed shows exactly what we're talking about here - a botched investigation. And now Vanbrakle's gonna get time? It just don't sit right with me... 6 months in my opinion would've been enough
let's keep our eyes peeled and support each other through this! 
. And now he's being charged with perjury and other crimes, which is about time 
. The fact that he's accusing prosecutors of rushing to judgment is just laughable 
.
. I hope Vanbrakle gets the justice he deserves and serves some serious time behind bars 
. I mean, who tries to fabricate evidence in a gun case? seems like he was trying to make himself look like a hero or something 
. I hope he gets what's coming to him 
It just seems so... botched.
Can't believe what's going down here... a cop faking evidence? It's like something out of a movie, but it's real life and someone's losing their freedom over it. I feel sorry for the homeowner and her fiancé - they got caught up in this mess because of Vanbrakle's lies.