| Dear Friend,
It gives me great joy to announce that we were able to obtain significant pay increases for all members of our SAO family this legislative session. As I had hoped, the Governor graciously approved a final state budget that included a Cost Area Differential (CAD) for us. As you know, I have spent years asking policymakers in Tallahassee to compensate us for dealing with the extraordinarily high costs of living in the Miami area that make it nearly impossible for our prosecutors and staff to afford high rents, purchase homes, and pay for other living expenses. Our hard work finally paid off. It is estimated that the CAD (which is not a salary increase) will equate to approximately $5,000.00 for ASAs and $1,248.00 for support staff. In addition to the CAD, the legislature has also agreed to fund a 2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) with a minimum $1,000 increase, for every member of the Best Team in America! This means our support staff will see salary increases of 3.1% to 6.7%. These adjustments reflect our continued effort to address the real cost of living in one of the most sought-after and expensive cities in the country. As you know, I have long advocated for increased compensation for all members of our SAO family. For many years, I highlighted the sacrifices our SAO team makes to make our community a safer place to live, work, and raise our families, winning the support of criminal justice and community stakeholders. I’d like to specifically thank the Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Benevolent Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Miami-Dade County League of Cities, Miami-Dade County Daniella Levine Cava, the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner, the Miami Beach City Commission, and Florida Tax Watch for their support. I am eternally grateful for their assistance. We want to thank our legislators for being regularly available to me and my team here in Miami and in Tallahassee, facilitating our ability to make our case for well-deserved salary and benefit increases. I particularly want to thank our local legislators in the House and Senate leadership, with special recognition of House Speaker Danny Perez. We are grateful to Speaker Perez because he prioritized the CAD for our office. We are also grateful to Senate Appropriations sub-committee Chair Ileana Garcia for securing a $500,000.00 appropriation again this year towards our Homeowners Association/Condominium Owners Association initiative. Of course, finally, we are grateful to Governor Ron DeSantis for allowing our increases to become a reality. I personally want to acknowledge and thank everyone at SAO for all the hard work they do for our community each and every day. Under our current staffing conditions, everyone is working extremely hard to make sure justice is served in every case for the community, law enforcement, the witnesses, the victims, and those accused. I recognize the value of their daily efforts to keep this community safe. I will continue to advocate for them as the fight for fair wages is far from over. But for now, we celebrate the progress we have made! Thank you, be safe, and God Bless, |
| This summer, the State Attorney's Office welcomed over 150 interns to our office, each of them carefully assigned to a division to gain hands-on experience and insight into the criminal justice system. The State Attorney’s Office has curated an internship experience that is both rigorous and enriching by developing a robust and dynamic program that includes a visit from Florida Supreme Court Justice John Couriel, as well as tours of the Juvenile Detention Center, Drug Court, Real-Time Crime Center, and Litigation Support Division—alongside long-standing favorites like the Medical Examiner’s Office and Pre-Trial Detention Center. |
| Our interns had the opportunity to learn more about our Smart Justice approach to prosecution, specialized units within our office, including Human Trafficking, Gang Unit, Gun Violence Unit, Narcotics Units, Economic Crimes, and even life-saving skills courses. These experiences not only enhance legal knowledge but also broaden the interns’ perspectives on community justice and safety. |
| “Training the next generation of lawyers is more than teaching legal theory. It means immersing students in real-world experiences that shape their understanding of justice, advocacy, and community impact. By allowing students hands-on opportunities to work alongside our attorneys on complex cases, support survivors, and engage in the criminal legal system, our office helps develop them into future leaders. Our SAO Internship Program is designed to allow interns a deeper understanding of the legal system and the prosecutor's role in being a minister of justice,” stated Katherine Fernandez Rundle. |
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To learn more about internship opportunities, visit our website.
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| State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle was honored to participate in the "Third Annual Protecting Innocence: Joining Forces to Combat Human Trafficking" Symposium, hosted by Citrus Health Network. |
| During the closing remarks, the State Attorney addressed attendees and highlighted our office's dedicated work in combating human trafficking. Central to this mission is a close partnership with community organizations, which play an essential role in creating a safety net for survivors throughout recovery and the legal process. |
| “When I reflect on collaboration, I think about our community. No matter how complex the issue, Miami-Dade comes together, not as agencies or organizations, but as people united in the belief that everyone deserves safety and dignity,” stated Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “The accomplishments of my office would not be possible without the help of our trusted community partners, many of whom are present here today. Yet another demonstration of our joint commitment to protect the innocent, restore hope, and end human trafficking.” |
| During her presentation, the State Attorney showcased resources available to trafficking survivors, including the State Attorney’s Office 24-Hour Local Rapid Response Hotline that connects individuals to immediate support and the innovative specialized unit where survivors can access a secure, victim-centered, trauma-informed space to retreat, shower, rest, and begin the healing journey. |
| The symposium featured a range of speakers, including Director of Programs and Services at Citrus Family Care Network & CHANCE Program Founding Clinician Dr. Kimberly McGrath, Executive Director at My Life My Choice Audrey Morrisey, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Florida Senator Ileana Garcia, Florida Department of Children and Families Director of Human Trafficking Prevention Jonathan Stephens, and Citrus Health Network Board of Directors Chairperson Dr. Caridad Castro. |
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| Human Trafficking Director Justin Funck, Assistant State Attorneys Yaneth Baez and Nicolas Chavez, and Senior Victim Specialist Tanya Jean Gennusa recently welcomed Kevin Stamper, Vice President of Development at Lutheran Services Florida (LSF), for a tour of our Human Trafficking Center. |
| During the visit, SAO representatives shared insights into the operations of the Human Trafficking Task Force, our mission, and the vision behind establishing a centralized facility to provide comprehensive resources for victims. |
| LSF is a statewide nonprofit that provides critical assistance and resources to help the most vulnerable Floridians. Their services extend to children who are found without shelter, ensuring they are placed in group homes or emergency shelters. |
| Collaborating with organizations, such as LSF, is critical to the State Attorney’s mission to protect at-risk youth, as one in three runaways is at risk of being recruited for commercial sex within 48 hours of leaving home. We’re excited to continue partnering with community organizations like LSF to deliver in-depth training for their staff on recognizing the signs and dangers of human trafficking. Together, we remain committed to prevention and recovery. |
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| “The hospitality industry is uniquely positioned to help us in this fight against Human Trafficking. By training hotel staff, front desk clerks, housekeepers, valet attendants, servers, and others who interact with visitors daily, we have the opportunity to detect that something isn’t right. When we train and equip frontline workers with the tools to recognize and report suspicious activity, we protect vulnerable individuals and create a culture of awareness and action. Human Trafficking is something we must all be vigilant about, especially in spaces where exploitation can go unnoticed,” stated Katherine Fernandez Rundle. |
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| State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle thanks all who attended the “Second Chance” Seal or Expunge Event held at Miami Dade College West Campus in Doral. The State Attorney’s Office assisted 135 individuals, with 80 eligible to seal or expunge one arrest in Miami-Dade County. |
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| We look forward to bringing the “Second Chance” Seal or Expunge Event to Miami Dade College Padron Campus on August 20, 2025. Be sure to follow us for additional information. |
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| Judge David Young is one of a kind and makes no excuses about it. His passion for the law was sparked by watching his father practice juris prudence in what has now become a family affair. His father, Burton Young, was a prominent attorney who was the first Jewish President of the Florida Bar and was listed in the Best Lawyers in America. Judge Young’s nephew, Jacob Leon, is currently an Assistant State Attorney at our office, making him a third-generation SAO prosecutor. |
| “Judge David Young has always had a thoughtful and unique perspective on life in general, on the law, and on the law’s impact on our daily lives,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “His deep respect for the individual and his profound reverence for our criminal justice institutions have always been the foundation of his esteemed legal career. “ |
| Since the age of 3 or 4 years old, Judge Young knew he wanted to be a lawyer. He admits that it is a result of his father's influence, who joined the State Attorney’s Office at the request of his friend and law partner Richard Gerstein (six-term State Attorney for Miami-Dade County). “I was a fan of Perry Mason, and I always loved visiting my dad’s law office and hearing all the stories about his cases. The basic principle that my father operated from was to always seek justice. So, I wanted to seek justice and give back to the community.” |
| Born and raised in the Skylake area of North Miami, Judge Young grew up with his sister in a loving home where humanity and knowledge coexisted with lots of laughter. He went on to graduate from North Miami Beach High School and attend Tulane University, where he was president of the student body government. He later earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law. |
| Judge Young knew that he would become a prosecutor and follow in the footsteps of his father and Richard Gerstein. As a child, Judge Young always looked forward to getting together with then-State Attorney Janet Reno, who shared her perspective on so many different issues. |
| “In 1984, I took a job as state attorney for $17,000, and once I passed the bar, it went up to $20,000,” Judge Young recalls. “I remember doing mock trials and being up all night preparing for court. And when I got to the office, someone pointed out that I had two different colored shoes, so I had to go back home and change them.” |
| He began in the County Crimes division before moving on to Juvenile and later the Felony Division. At that time, ASAs would spend some time working in the Felony Screening Unit (FSU) before becoming B prosecutors. “There I learned to weigh evidence and make decisions of whether there was enough to file a case or not.” |
| “To be a prosecutor requires strength and courage to make the hard decisions and always do justice. That mindset not only makes you a good prosecutor but also a good judge.” |
| One case stood out for Judge Young from his time as a B prosecutor. He remembers interviewing police officers in an armed robbery case. They were the only witnesses, and the victim was too scared to make an identification of the alleged Defendant who had confessed. “When I was interviewing the police officers, and I asked if there was any physical altercation (with the Defendant), there was a pronounced hesitation that didn't sit well with me. I went to my Division Chief, expressed my concerns, and nolle prossed the case. When I told the defense attorney, she told me that her client said he had never mentioned being physically harmed by the officers because he thought it would make things worse for him.” |
| “I did my three-year commitment at the SAO and ran for State Senate. Though that effort was not successful, it did reroute his career path back to the law in private practice and then at the County Attorney’s Office. |
| In 1992, he was elected judge, and a year later, made headlines after coming out and becoming the first openly gay judge in Miami-Dade County. “What I like most about being a judge is the way we can help one person at a time. By helping one individual, we are helping to better the environment of the entire community. For example, if there's someone with an addiction and it gets under control in the specialty courts, then everyone in that person's family and the community in general benefits from it.” |
| “One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received was from Judge Seymour Gelber. He said, ‘David, when you believe that your first name is Judge, that's when you get into trouble.’ I will never forget that sage advice.” |
| Judge Young recounts a case involving a prominent member of the community who had been charged with driving under the influence. “I found him guilty of the offense. Before he left, I talked with the man about alcoholism, family, and treatment programs. Then one day, while getting a haircut, I had people coming up to me thanking me for what a great job I had done in that case. I said, ‘How did you know?’ They said it was because this person [I’d sentenced] had told them what a great job I did.” |
| “This taught me that it is not what you say but how you say it. I believe that if you show people that you care about them and are committed to justice, you will renew their faith in the institution of the court and legal system.” |
| Judge Young caught the attention of television producers when he presided over the America West Flight 556 case, in which two America West Airlines pilots were convicted of trying to fly a plane while drunk. They made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. So, he stepped down from the bench in May 2007 to host “Judge David Young,” a daytime national court show filmed in New York and syndicated across the United States and Canada. |
| The show, which ran for two seasons, earned a Daytime Emmy nomination. He became the first openly gay TV judge and also hosted the Justice with a Snap! radio show on the OutQ channel on Sirius XM Radio. |
| In 2014, Judge Young married his partner of 20 years, Judge Scott Bernstein. They met at a holiday party in 1992 and have continued to share their lives and passion for the law ever since. |
| Judge Young was elected back to the Circuit Court of Miami-Dade County, Florida, without opposition in 2016 and again in 2022. He continues to preside over his courtroom with respect, professionalism, and a therapeutic approach to justice. |
| "Most people have very little contact with the judicial system, so if you don't treat them with respect, they may lose faith in the institution.” |
| Judge Young believes that communication and the ability to really listen to others are essential in everything you do in life. Maturity and respect are key for those in the criminal justice system because they “help restore people’s confidence in the judiciary and show the world that our judicial system works.” |
| “To quote Janet Reno, whose words of strength and courage resonate throughout my body every day: ‘do more to seek justice’ because you have the responsibility to decide to file charges or not. It's a great life in which we can make the lives of others a little better. |
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| Congratulations to Gangs Unit ASA Ruben Scolavino and ASAs Nicole Pierluisi and Andres Perez for securing a guilty verdict on one count of First-Degree Felony Murder, one count of Armed Burglary, and one count of Attempted Manslaughter by Act. |
| The Defendant, his girlfriend, and two of the Defendant’s friends planned to steal drugs from the Victim. When the group entered the vehicle, the Defendant directed the driver to the Victim’s house. Since the Defendant was not on good terms with the Victim, he sent the crew to rob the Victim while he stayed behind in the car. The Defendant sent his provocatively dressed girlfriend to the Victim’s door to ensure that he would open it. Once the Defendant’s girlfriend and friend entered the residence, the situation turned deadly within a minute. |
| One of the crew members pulled out his gun and shot the Victim. In response, the Victim charged at two crew members, catching them off guard and sending them running out of the house. Although unarmed, the Victim ran after them. As the crew ran from the Victim, the Defendant pulled a gun and shot from the vehicle towards the Victim multiple times. The Defendant’s cover fire allowed the crew to retreat to the vehicle. While under fire, the Victim ran back into his house. The Defendant then jumped into the driver's seat and drove the car away while the Victim suffered from the fatal gunshot wound in his living room. |
| At trial, the Defendant claimed he did not know that it was supposed to be a robbery, stating he thought the crew wanted to purchase drugs from the Victim. The Defendant claimed that he heard gunshots inside the house and a noise of his tire being shot. The Defendant claimed he shot back to defend himself. He also claimed that he shot at the Victim because he thought he had a gun. |
| The State successfully proved to the jury that the Defendant knew of the plan, intended for it to be a burglary, assisted in the burglary, and shot at the Victim unjustifiably. Various pieces evidence painted the picture that the Defendant was a principal to the murder, including surveillance video footage inside and around the Victim’s home, a text message between the Defendant’s girlfriend and one of the crew members, a Co-Defendant’s testimony admitting that the Defendant knew it was going to be a burglary, the Defendant’s statement where he denied any knowledge of the plan but then admits knowledge of the robbery, the Defendant’s testimony where he contradicted himself on cross and admitted that he shot the tire, and two statements by the Defendant to his girlfriend at the police station saying, “I’m sorry I set it up” and “We would have been good if they didn’t know it was a robbery.” |
| The State began the trial on the fifth anniversary of the death of the Victim. Two weeks later, the trial resulted in a guilty verdict and justice for the Victim and his next of kin. |
| The ASAs would like to give a special thanks to Felony Division Chief Ashley Ramkishun for her hard work preparing this case and for her support throughout this trial while she was at home on maternity leave. The ASAs would also like to thank Paralegals Maria Rodriguez and Evika Jones for their help in preparing subpoenas and handling necessary scheduling, as well as the Victim Witness Counselors Andrea Marquez and Kelly Usher-Villazan. Thanks also to the Litigation Support team for their amazing photo boards and video compilation. Lastly, the ASAs would like to thank Intern Alex Montano for assisting with all the evidence and the crucial, last-minute tasks throughout the 2-week trial. |
| In February 2022, the Victims, a mother and her son, went to Spris Pizza on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach with a few friends. The son and his friend were playing in the plaza while the parents finished their meal. The Defendant, a local vagrant in the South Beach area, became angry that the children were playing in the street. He approached the son and pushed him. When the mother ran up to get her child, he punched her twice in the face before fleeing the scene. The mother sustained a laceration to her bottom lip and a deep laceration to her eyebrow that required stitches. The police searched for but were unable to locate the Defendant. Nearly a month later, the Victim spotted the Defendant in Lummus Park and called the police. He was arrested. |
| While the facts of this case were simple, the State faced several challenges. Before this case could be resolved, the Defendant was extradited to the State of Georgia, convicted on another charge, and served a sentence before being returned to this jurisdiction. During that time, three essential officer witnesses retired. Upon the Defendant’s return, he fired his attorney, filed a demand for speedy trial, and moved for the recusal of his original judge. Upon transfer to another division, the State had just 10 days to become ready for trial. During this time, the ASAs were able to locate and add to their witness list another civilian who observed him punch the Victim twice. The reluctant Victim had to deal with testifying in a trial, where the Defendant represented himself. The jury was convinced of his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. |
| The ASAs would like to give special thanks to Felony Division Chief Wally Hernandez for providing trial strategy and helping to secure the testimony of the state’s witnesses, and to ASA Natalie Mendez for helping to locate one of the retired detectives and to prepare the State’s pre-trial motions. Thanks also go to Trial Coordinator Valeria Beattie and Secretary Chandra Taylor for obtaining rush copies of the Defendant’s prior out-of-county felony convictions, and to Victim Witness Counselor Daniella Jimenez for staying with the civilian witness in the courthouse on both days she testified. |
| On February 14, 2023, the Defendant, a security guard at Doral Downtown Upper Charter, approached two students who were once romantically involved. He told them he could take them to a room where they could do whatever they wanted. The Defendant then led the two Victims to a media production room, which had an inner room with a two-way mirror. CCTV video footage captured the Defendant looking at the school security camera that was inside the inner room. The Defendant can be seen on video telling the two students to go into the other room and “do it.” The security camera recorded the Defendant as he sat next to the two-way mirror and used his phone several times to either record or take pictures of the Victims while they engaged in sexual activity. Days later, the Defendant approached one of the Victims and stated he liked what he saw and wanted her to do to him what she had done to her boyfriend days before. The Defendant then blackmailed the Victim, stating that if the Victim refused, he would either release the video or convince the other Victim that they had sex. |
| The Defendant had already deleted the pictures and videos he took and the app he used when he was arrested. At trial, the defense tried to claim that the Defendant was only recording the students to make sure they were not doing anything “untoward” and that he did it for his protection. However, the jury was convinced of the Defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. |
| The ASAs would like to thank Sexual Battery Unit (SBU) Division Chief Natalie Snyder for her invaluable advice, SBU ASA Jared Lorenz, SBU Legal Interns Diego Ortega, and Christina Prado for their support during the trial. The ASAs would like to thank the Litigation Support Team for their help during the trial with exhibits, audio extractions, and the technology in the courtroom. The ASAs would also like to thank SBU Victim/Witness Coordinator Nancy Germeille for supporting the Victim before and during her lengthy testimony, and for her assistance in coordinating our witnesses. A special thank you to SBU secretaries Charlotte Haslem and Valerie Ford for assisting with trial preparations. |
| Congratulations to ASAs Jason Perez and Sabrina Ortega for securing a guilty verdict on one count of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon. |
| On December 29, 2023, a car driven by the Defendant’s friend sideswiped the Victim who was driving down 8th Street. Realizing that a car accident had just occurred, the Victim exited his car to speak to the Defendant, who was in the front passenger seat, and her friend. Upon seeing the Victim outside of his car, the Defendant and her friend fled the scene of the car accident. The Victim followed them until he was able to stop near them and attempt again to speak to them about the accident. Once again, the Defendant and her friend attempted to flee the area. To keep them at the scene until the police arrived, the Victim stood in front of their car. The Defendant exited the vehicle, switched into the driver's seat, and drove the car into the Victim until he fell to the ground. |
| At trial, the State was able to elicit testimony and introduce evidence that firmly established that the Defendant used the car to strike the Victim, consistent with a deadly weapon. The State elicited testimony from the Defendant herself on cross-examination that she intentionally drove into the Victim. Additionally, the Defendant acknowledged that a car could cause serious injury or death to a pedestrian even when driven at a slow speed. Prosecutors were able to establish a clear motive as to why the Defendant committed the crime. The jury found her guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. |
| The ASAs would like to thank Felony Division Chief Rachel Morales-Gellis and ASAs Vianca Picart and Alanis Alvarez for their invaluable advice and assistance with legal research and trial strategy. They would also like to thank Victim/Witness Coordinator Jazmin Mohammed for her assistance in coordinating the appearance of witnesses for trial preparation and trial. |
| The Defendant, a world champion power lifter from Guyana, struck up a relationship with the Victim after they met at a bodybuilding competition. Ultimately, the Defendant moved in with the Victim, and she began to support his weight-lifting career. She envisioned marrying him and starting a life together, though she was almost 20 years his senior. |
| One Sunday, as they were meal prepping, the couple began to bicker. At first, it was innocuous - she wanted him to turn the TV down and was upset that he hadn’t purchased her a wrestling uniform through one of his sponsors. But as the evening progressed, and the Defendant consumed more Guinness, things became hostile. |
| From their bedroom, the Victim began to text the Defendant’s sister, which enraged him. He grabbed her by the arm and snatched her phone out of her hands before throwing it on the bed. One of the two firearms she owned was on the dresser. Feeling scared and worried that Defendant may grab it, the Victim picked up the firearm and tried to leave. A physical struggle ensued where the Defendant ultimately took the firearm and fired two shots at the Victim’s feet, before momentarily pointing the gun at his head, then tossing it onto the bed. |
| The ASAs were able to overcome several issues with the case, including the Defendant’s statement to the police, where he claimed the Victim pointed the gun at him before the struggle happened. There was also an independent witness, the Victim’s roommate, who was present during the initial encounter but left the house when the Victim told him not to call the police. The case came down to whether the jury believed the Victim’s story or the Defendant’s. |
| Ultimately the State was able to disprove the Defendant’s self-defense with 911 calls from both the Victim and the independent witness, testimony from Dr. Emma Lew about the Victim’s injuries, a jail call where the Defendant contacted the Victim in violation of the stay away order asking her to sign a non-prosecution affidavit, the Victim’s testimony, and pointing out obvious contradictions in the Defendant’s statement. |
| The ASAs would like to thank Victim Witness Advocate Katherine Fondeur and Felony Unit 3 Marc Duque for their invaluable help in securing evidence and witnesses. |
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