ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – An Orange County sheriff’s deputy is off the job as he faces a long list of charges in Seminole County linked to a carjacking in Winter Springs.
On Thursday, the victim — Katherine Aguasvivas — was kidnapped during the carjacking at an intersection in Winter Springs, being reported missing shortly thereafter. Her car was later found burning with a body inside, leading detectives to believe that she could be dead.
In an arrest warrant affidavit, detectives said that the deputy — Francisco Estrella, 33 — had called one of the investigators involved in the carjacking investigation, identifying himself as “Francisco Archuela” and claiming to be Aguasvivas’ cousin.
Estrella explained he was concerned about the investigation and Aguasvivas’ safety, and he asked for details about how the investigation was going, the affidavit states. However, the investigator told Estrella that she couldn’t share those details, as the investigation was still active.
On Friday, Aguasvivas’ husband, Miguel Aguasvivas, arrived at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and provided his cell phone to investigators, deputies said.
Detectives began reviewing the phone, and by Sunday, investigators found “electronic communication” through WhatsApp between Miguel Aguasvivas and Estrella, the affidavit shows.
Investigators said those communications involved the following:
- A photo of the business card for the investigator whom Estrella called (sent by Miguel Aguasvivas to Estrella)
- A video recording of the conversation between the investigator and Estrella, which had been taken without the investigator knowing (sent by Estrella to Miguel Aguasvivas)
- A photo of the investigator’s driver’s license profile (sent by Estrella to Miguel Aguasvivas)
- Evidence that Estrella used his access to law enforcement databases to look up the investigator
Estrella was arrested Sunday on charges of interception of wire, oral or electronic communication; disclosure of wire, oral or electronic communication; disclosure or use of confidential criminal justice information; unlawful use of a two-way communication device; accessing computer or electronic devices without authorization or exceeding authorization.
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“The act of sending these items to someone actively being sought for an interview and believed to be involved in the original crime clearly shows that Estrella had intent to obstruct this investigation, as there is no reasonable explanation for his actions,” the affidavit reads.
On Monday, Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma revealed that Katherine Aguasvivas’ brother and Miguel Aguasvivas had reached out to a mutual childhood friend, who happened to be Estrella’s wife.
“The wife of the Orange County deputy reached out and said, ‘I’ve been contacted by this person who is identified by name as a detective with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Can you find out whatever information you can about this particular person?’” Lemma said.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Estrella, who was hired in September 2022, has been placed on leave without pay. The office added that an internal investigation would take place following any criminal investigations.
“These are very serious criminal allegations. It is completely unacceptable for any law enforcement officer to misuse the power and authority of their job,” said Sheriff John Mina in a statement. “At the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, we hold our deputies to the highest ethical standards, and we will not tolerate anyone breaking the law within our ranks.”
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