BSO deputy Manuel Silva charged with extortion, drug possession, burglary

A Broward Sheriff's Office detective was arrested Friday and slapped with a slew of charges including armed extortion, burglary and drug possession.

Few details were immediately available about the arrest of 34-year-old Manuel Silva, a nine-year BSO veteran. A department spokeswoman, Dani Moschella, said an internal investigation is now underway.

Moschella said she could not immediately confirm whether Silva committed his alleged crimes while on duty. According to the department's quarterly newsletter, Silva worked as a deputy in Central Broward and recently received honors for helping solve a residential burglary case involving 40 stolen firearms.

According to jail records, he was arrested by fellow deputies and charged with armed burglary, armed extortion, and possession of oxycodone and other prescription drugs.