Miami Beach motorcyclist acquitted of felony charges stemming from alleged crash that injured police officer
A man who was arrested in 2025 after Miami Beach police accused him of striking an officer with a motorcycle during a traffic stop and fleeing the scene was later acquitted by a jury of the felony charges stemming from the incident, according to Miami-Dade County court records.
Armando Fogacavalenteneto, 37 at the time of the incident, was arrested following the May 5, 2025, incident and originally faced multiple felony charges, including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. At the time this story was first published, the charges reflected allegations made during an ongoing investigation.
Following a jury trial, he was found not guilty of the felony charges on Feb. 11, 2026. Court records also show he was convicted of offenses related to driving without a valid driver's license.
Police alleged officer was struck
According to the Miami Beach Police Department, the incident occurred around 8:45 a.m. Monday, May 5, while Officer G was conducting a traffic detail in full uniform in the 1100 block of 5th Street. The officer attempted to stop a gray motorcycle carrying two people for an alleged traffic violation.
Police alleged the motorcycle initially appeared to comply but, as the officer directed it to the shoulder, the driver turned the front wheel toward him and accelerated, striking the officer. Investigators said body-worn camera footage supported that account.
Police alleged the motorcycle then fled westbound at a high rate of speed, ran a red light and entered the MacArthur Causeway.
The officer suffered fractured ribs, abrasions and bruising and was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital for treatment, police said.
Suspect and motorcycle identified after crash
Police said that while rescue personnel were transporting the officer to the hospital, they passed a crash scene involving the same motorcycle. According to investigators, the officer identified the motorcycle, driver and passenger as those involved in the earlier incident.
Police said Fogacavalenteneto later gave investigators a post-Miranda statement that conflicted with body camera evidence.
His girlfriend and passenger, Valquiria da Silva, told investigators the couple was late for a fitness class and believed the officer had attempted to stop them for speeding. According to police, she also said Fogacavalenteneto fled because he did not have a driver's license.
Investigators said the motorcycle, a 2015 silver Triumph registered to Da Silva, along with witness statements and other evidence, led to Fogacavalenteneto's arrest.
The case proceeded to trial, where a jury acquitted Fogacavalenteneto of the felony charges that formed the basis of the original allegations.
According to Miami-Dade County court records, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on the felony counts on Feb. 11, 2026. The records also reflect convictions on charges related to driving without a valid driver's license.
