Key West The Newspaper

Former FHP Trooper, Dentist and Body Shop Owner Charged

Alleged Hit and Run with Serious Injury, False Police Report and Insurance Fraud Lead to Arrests

MIAMI DADE, Fla. – As a result of a joint investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol, Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, the Miami Beach Police Department, the Miami-Dade Police Department and Florida’s Division of Insurance Fraud. Former Florida Highway Patrol Trooper David Casillas, automobile body shop owner Ariel Perera, and Miami Beach dentist Jesus Enrique Del Valle have been charged with variety of crimes originating from a June 30, 2015 accident on Miami Beach wherein a Range Rover allegedly struck and seriously injured a landscape employee of Lewis Tree Service and then allegedly fled the scene.

Allegedly, De Valle brought the damaged Range Rover to an auto repair shop owned by his girlfriend’s cousin, Perera for repair work. In order to obtain insurance payment for the work, De Valle allegedly contacted his friend, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper David Casillas. Mr. Casillas allegedly provided a false accident report which then facilitated the insurance payment for the repair work. The alleged manufactured report indicated a collision with a palm tree far
from Miami Beach and dated this “accident” seven days after the June 30th incident. In submitting insurance invoices for payment, Perera allegedly also charged for parts replacements that were never replaced.

David Casillas has been charged with:

• Organized Scheme to Defraud, 3rd Degree Felony
• False Insurance Claim, 3rd Degree Felony
• Official Misconduct, 3rd Degree Felony
• Unlawful Use of 2-way Communication Device, 3rd Degree Felony

Ariel Perera has been charged with:

• Organized Scheme to Defraud, 3rd Degree Felony
• False Insurance Claim, 3rd Degree Felony
• Grand Theft, 3rd Degree Felony

Jesus Enrique De Valle has been charged with:

• Organized Scheme to Defraud, 1st Degree Felony
• Organized Scheme to Defraud, 3rd Degree Felony
• False Insurance Claim, 3rd Degree Felony
• Unlawful Use of 2-way Communication Device, 3rd Degree Felony
• Grand Theft, 3rd Degree Felony
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Serious Bodily Injury, 2nd Degree Felony

“Words cannot express the disappointment we feel knowing one of our Troopers was arrested as a result of this investigation. The Florida Highway Patrol does not tolerate any conduct that discredits the integrity of the Division. Members will maintain a level of moral conduct in their personal and business affairs, which is in keeping with the highest standards of the law enforcement profession”, noted Lieutenant Yosdany Veloz. “This is not representative of the Florida Highway Patrol, and we can assure the community that any violation of integrity and public trust will be dealt with swiftly, and appropriately.”

Mr. Casillas was dismissed from the Florida Highway Patrol in January 2017. Questions regarding the criminal charges and arrest should be referred to the Miami Beach Police Department and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. Information regarding his personnel file may be requested via our communications office in Tallahassee.