A former Miami-Dade firefighter pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony charges stemming from allegations by fellow firefighters who say he attacked them while on duty more than a decade ago.<\/p>\n
Jose Lopez appeared in court and entered a plea to multiple counts of aggravated battery (a lesser charge) in two separate cases. The charges are second-degree felonies.<\/p>\n
As part of the plea agreement, Lopez was sentenced to 10 years of probation. He was also ordered to complete a \u201cmentally disordered sexual offender treatment program.\u201d<\/p>\n
The plea also barred Lopez from working at schools or obtaining professional licenses that require wearing a uniform.<\/p>\n
Lopez was arrested in 2023 and later fired from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.<\/p>\n
The investigation began after several firefighters came forward alleging Lopez had sexually attacked them while they were on the job years earlier.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA Miami-Dade Fire Rescue firefighter pleaded not guilty Monday to allegations that he sexually assaulted his coworkers.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Two of those women faced Lopez in court Tuesday and described the impact the alleged incidents had on their lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore than a decade ago, while on duty and asleep in my dorm, I was violently sexually assaulted by former firefighter Jose R. Lopez,\u201d one firefighter, Rhonda, said in court, speaking publicly for the first time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rhonda said the alleged attack happened inside a fire station in northeast Miami-Dade.<\/p>\n
During her victim statement, she held up shackles in court.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese shackles represent the bondage your violence placed on me,\u201d she said. \u201cBut they were never mine to carry. Jose, these shackles belong to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another firefighter, Milena, also addressed the court.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the struggle, I feared for my life,\u201d she said. \u201cI was fighting someone who was physically bigger and stronger than me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The women, who supported each other during the years-long investigation and court proceedings, said Lopez abused a position of trust.<\/p>\n