Despite his history of public service and valor as a Miami-Dade police officer and county commissioner, Judge Miguel de la O admitted, "I think you know what I think about your history, based on what I put in my order, but I feel like my hands are tied," when it comes to sentencing Joe Martinez for his unlawful compensation and conspiracy conviction.
De la O sentenced the 67-year-old to 34.5 months in prison, which is the most lenient of the guidelines, and what the state requested.
Martinez rejected prosecutors' prior plea deals and maintains his innocence saying, "I couldn't look at myself in the mirror. I couldn't look at my children, my friends, my supporters, and stand there and say, 'yes, I am guilty of this' when I didn't do it."
His attorney, Ben Kuehne, says they're appealing arguing, "This case has shown that the justice system is not perfect."
De la O will allow Martinez to remain out of prison while the appellate process continues.
A jury convicted Martinez of taking $15,000 dollars in kickbacks from a business owner in exchange for sponsoring an ordinance.