The Florida Third District Court of Appeal has overturned the conviction of a man arrested at a tribal casino, ruling that the state prosecuted him using “phantom” local ordinances that do not exist and cannot be enforced on Native American reservations.
The incident began when Matias Sergio Quiroga was staying as a guest at the Miccosukee Casino and Resort, located on the Miccosukee Indian Reservation in Miami-Dade County. Quiroga went to the resort lobby to file a complaint, where he became animated during his interaction with staff. Officer Manuel Lopez of the Miccosukee Tribe Police Department ordered Quiroga to return to his room.
