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Dear Friend, September is recognized as National Recovery Month. During this month, we focus on mental health and substance abuse and educate the public on the importance of prevention and treatment. We also promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery possible. In our groundbreaking therapeutic monitoring and accountability courts (Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Veterans Court), we see how treatment makes a difference in the lives of those suffering from addiction and mental illness every day. With proper treatment and support, most participants can rebuild their lives and become productive members of society. We examine all participants through a specialized lens and take steps to prevent them from committing a crime again. The best way to do this is to treat the addiction. Established in 1989, the Drug Court was created to separate drug addicts from dealers and divert addicts to treatment programs instead of jail. Our model has served as a model for similar programs worldwide. We have a separate diversion program for “low-risk, low-need” individuals who use drugs casually, have no history of drug arrests, and are not considered addicts. Recovery involves a holistic health approach and is strengthened in a safe and supportive home. Community is key, as building social networks and a sense of community can support recovery. A sense of purpose and meaning can also bolster recovery efforts. If you or someone you know needs mental health or substance abuse treatment, know that you are not alone and that there is help. Call Thriving Mind South Florida Helpline at 1 (888) 248-3111 or visit www.thrivingmind.org. Recovery is possible, and together we are stronger. Thank you, be safe, and God Bless, |
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| State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle hosted the Swearing-In Ceremony for the August 2025 Class of Assistant State Attorneys. Members of our Leadership Team, SAO staff, family, friends, and loved ones of our new prosecutors joined the State Attorney for this special occasion. |
| “The Swearing-In of our Assistant State Attorneys is a milestone, not just for our new prosecutors and their families and friends, but for everyone in our community. Our new Assistant State Attorneys have completed our prosecutorial training program and are entrusted to protect and defend our community by upholding and enforcing the criminal laws of the State of Florida. As newly sworn-in prosecutors, they are ministers of justice. They are expected to seek a just result in every single case with honesty and ethics. They must protect the innocent and convict the guilty, while standing up proudly and compassionately for our victims, as their voice and advocate. Among hundreds of applicants, these 50 Assistant State Attorneys shone brightly. Each of them was hand-selected to serve the community of Miami-Dade, and I look forward to seeing their successes and impact.” |
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Please join us in congratulating our 50 new Assistant State Attorneys. Welcome to the “Best Team in America!” |
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| State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle attended the Greater Kendall Business Association Monthly Luncheon to greet attendees and underscore the importance of a united front in the fight against human trafficking, as this is a growing concern that affects communities across the nation, including our own. |
| “It is an honor to be with each of you. I strongly believe that meetings such as this are important, as it is through our continued, steady collaboration that we will continue to fight this dark spot in our beautiful and vibrant community. Local businesses have a unique vantage point due to their daily interactions with the public, interactions that may reveal subtle warning signs. While law enforcement leads the charge in investigations and victim rescue, this is a fight we simply cannot take on alone. Community awareness and engagement are key,” stated State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. |
| Director of the Human Trafficking Unit Justin Funck also addressed attendees, sharing insights on how Human Trafficking affects the Miami-Dade community, the State Attorney’s efforts to address these types of crimes, and how collaboration is essential to continue our work in identifying, rescuing, and preventing trafficking in our neighborhoods. |
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| Collaborating with community leaders and social services 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. During this meeting, community leaders shared new ideas and explored collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening our response to human trafficking. |
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| This detailed presentation covered the Florida Statute of Human Trafficking, our office’s victim-centered approach when investigating these complex cases, questions to ask patients if Human Trafficking is suspected, and how to contact the State Attorney’s Human Trafficking Rapid-Response Hotline. This training comes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, serving as a proactive effort to educate frontline professionals and strengthen our community’s response to potential trafficking risks. |
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| “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Angie. I, and this community, are incredibly lucky to have her as a part of the ‘Best Team in America.’ She has served Miami-Dade as a passionate advocate, bringing to our residents a knowledge that their State Attorney’s Office is there to help and serve. Her continuous outreach, information, and training have undoubtedly played a vital role in reducing crime and victimization. I am so proud that her dedication is being recognized.” | ||
| Angie has been a dedicated member of the State Attorney’s Office for 15 years, providing services in Coconut Grove, Flagami, Coral Gables, Doral, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Medley, Virginia Gardens, Miami Springs, South Miami, West Miami, and various districts in Unincorporated Miami-Dade. As a passionate community advocate, she works closely with both residents and community leaders to ensure constituent concerns are heard and addressed. She actively engages with community organizations, faith-based groups, schools, and senior centers, educating Miami-Dade on how our SAO programs and resources can support them. |
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| Chief Assistant Stephen K. Talpins and Community Outreach Representative Janeen Jones participated in the Mothers Fighting for Justice Roundtable, led by founder Romania Dukes. This discussion brought together law enforcement agencies and community advocates to explore solutions and strengthen partnerships to fight gun violence in our community. |  |
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Community Outreach Representatives Jose A. Lopez and Steve Machin attended the Anchored in Safety: UM Rosenstiel School Safety Fair, where they interacted with students, faculty, and staff about crime prevention and safety tips, as well as resources and services available through the State Attorney's Office for our community. |
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| “Second Chance” Events would not be possible without the help of our amazing volunteers and community partners, including the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardemon, Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller, the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office, the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, and the NAACP Miami-Dade Branch. | ||
| We look forward to bringing the “Second Chance” Seal or Expunge Event to the South Shore Community Center in Miami Beach on October 23, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Be sure to follow us for additional information. |
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This month, we highlight a distinguished member of our SAO family. We present our SAO Alumni Profile- Judge Maria Elena Verde-Yanez. |
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| The Victim was a summer intern at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, entering the third year of law school at the University of Miami. The Defendant, a former Public Defender with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, was working as a plaintiff’s attorney when he met the victim in July of 2022. After the Defendant and the Victim realized their common interest in criminal defense, the Defendant offered to mentor the Victim and invited her out for a drink. The Victim agreed and was excited for the opportunity to learn more about criminal defense work. During this initial meeting, the Defendant mentioned that he had a video of an opening statement, but he could only show the Victim using his computer located at his apartment. Being eager to learn, the Victim agreed to go to his apartment to view the opening statement. Once there, it became very clear to the Victim that the Defendant had other intentions. Although the Victim repeatedly told him no, the Defendant forced unwanted sexual activity on her. |
| The Victim immediately reported the sexual battery to friends and visited the Rape Treatment Center the same night. She did not report the incident to the police right away, but she did so the following week. During the investigation, the Victim agreed to participate in a monitored call with the Defendant, wherein she called the Defendant and confronted him with the allegations of sexual assault. The police recorded the call, which was over an hour long. On this recording, the Defendant repeatedly acknowledged that he heard the Victim say “no sex” multiple times throughout the encounter. He said he continued anyway because he assumed she would enjoy it. Based on the evidence in the case, the Defendant was arrested. |
| Throughout the pendency of the case, the Defendant was very involved in his defense, even representing himself at points. The defense also engaged in very aggressive litigation strategies. Despite this, after hearing the facts, the jury found the Defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. |
| The ASAs want to thank Chief Assistant Kathleen Hoague for being available nearly 24/7 to provide much-needed advice and support. Next, they would like to thank Trial Coordinators Valerie Ford and Charlotte Haslem for coordinating the witnesses and Sexual Assault Victim Specialist April McClellan for providing much-needed emotional support for the Victim. The ASAs also want to thank Lorna Salomon for fulfilling numerous public records requests in the days leading up to the trial, Rene Ferrer and the Litigation Support team for their assistance with trial exhibits, and former Senior Trial Counsel David Gilbert for watching portions of the trial and providing feedback. |
| The Defendant was a suspect in an Armed Robbery, Armed Kidnapping, and Armed Burglary with Battery committed on January 20, 2023, in the City of Miami. The Defendant and his Co-Defendant forcibly entered the Victim’s home with a firearm, tied the Victim’s hands and feet with zip ties, and stole the Victim’s property. On March 14, 2023, a search warrant related to that case was executed at the Defendant’s residence by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT). When SRT entered the Defendant’s residence, the Defendant fired four rounds at the officers from inside his bedroom, and then he tried to flee through his bedroom window. After he realized there were officers outside as well, he closed the window, exited the bedroom into the hallway, and ultimately surrendered. Inside the bedroom, officers found the Defendant’s girlfriend and their 6-month-old daughter hiding huddled on the floor in a corner. Four hours later, Crime Scene specialists swabbed the girlfriend for gunshot residue (GSR). Seven hours after the shooting, they went to the hospital and swabbed the Defendant also. |
| One challenge in this case was that both the Defendant’s and the girlfriend’s swabs were negative for GSR. However, through the GSR analyst’s testimony, the State was able to establish that even though the test results were negative, the Defendant, unlike his girlfriend, did have some GSR particles on his hands which could only be explained by: (1) touching a surface with GSR, (2) being in close proximity to a firearm being fired, or (3) personally firing a firearm. |
| The State also presented the Body-Worn Camera (BWC) footage of the officers involved. |
| Although the BWC videos did not capture who fired at the officers, the videos allowed the jury to see and hear (1) that the officers announced that they were police serving a search warrant, (2) that two women exited the residence before SRT made entry, (3) that bullets struck the wall dangerously close to the officers, and (4) that the only occupants of the bedroom after his surrender were the Defendant’s girlfriend and their baby. The jurors also saw the officers’ reaction to the silhouette of a man opening the Defendant’s bedroom window, hearing a man’s voice, and the silhouette closing the window moments after the shots had been fired. |
| Throughout the trial, the defense argued that the State could not prove he was the person who fired the shots at the officers. However, the jury was convinced of his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The Defendant is a career criminal and faces life as a Habitual Offender with a 30-year minimum mandatory sentence as a Prison Releasee Reoffender and a mandatory life sentence under Florida statute §782.065. |
| The ASAs would like to thank Career Criminal / Robbery Unit Assistant Chiefs Kioceaia Stenson and Alexandra Hunter, and Felony Division Chief Shawn Abuhoff for their assistance with trial strategy. The ASAs would also like to thank Maria “Angie” Davila for her efforts to secure all witnesses for trial. |
| On June 27, 2022, at around 6:30 p.m., the Defendant was the driver and sole occupant of a Dodge Charger. The vehicle was driving without lights when it was first noticed by a police officer on patrol in a residential area of North Bay Village. The officer started driving toward the “blacked out” vehicle, and the driver then turned on their vehicle lights. The Defendant may have been worried that the officer was intending to pull him over, as the Defendant had an outstanding probation warrant and had cut off his ankle monitor. The Defendant then sped away from the police car at a high rate of speed, ran a stop sign and a red light, and began driving westbound on the 79th Street Causeway toward I-95. Data from the vehicle’s “black box” indicated that the car was traveling from 99 to 109 miles per hour. |
| When the Defendant got to the intersection of Harbor Island Drive, he crashed into an Infiniti vehicle that was turning left. The impact was so severe that it caused the Infiniti to burst into flames. The driver of the Infiniti, as well as her 15 and 12-year-old children, died as a result of the crash. They had to be identified using dental records due to the extensive burning and charring of their bodies. |
| After the crash, the Defendant fled from the scene on foot, leaving the Charger behind. Despite an intensive police search, he was able to evade law enforcement that night. However, about two months after the crash, he was located in North Carolina and extradited to Miami. He was held without bond until trial. |
| During the trial, the Defendant would not stipulate to the identity of the Victims, resulting in the Victims’ husband/father being called to testify about his family members. He explained that the Victims’ dental records had to be obtained from the Medical Examiner’s Office so their remains could be identified and buried. |
| The defense tried to allege that the crash was not the Defendant’s fault because the Victim driver had an unlawful blood alcohol level, and that the crash was not his fault because he wasn’t the driver. The jury took about 1 hour to find the Defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He faces up to 90 years in prison, with sentencing expected to take place in November. |
| The ASAs would like to thank Victim Advocate Isis Ferreiro for being with the Victims’ family throughout the trial. Additionally, Trial Coordinator Sherri Reaves did an amazing job of keeping all the witnesses informed on the status of the trial. In addition, Litigation Support team members Rene Ferrer assisted with preparing photos, videos, and trial posters for the trial, and Angel Del Castillo was very helpful with the Elmo equipment needed for the trial. ASA’s Jakob Kaufman and Rachael Singer made it possible for Melissa to try the case by assisting her with the soundings she had the week of the trial. Chief Assistant State Attorney Kathleen Hoague, as well as Senior Trial Counsel ASA’s Abbe Rifkin and Joshua Weintraub, were all helpful with strategy discussions about the case. |
| In September 2019, the Defendant befriended our terminally ill Victim, who was a partially paralyzed, great-grandmother who prided herself on her independence and large social circle. Within three months of the Defendant befriending the Victim, the Defendant fabricated a will, making herself the Victim’s sole heir. The Defendant later learned that years earlier, the Victim had put all of her assets into a living trust. |
| As the Victim was advised by doctors, her bladder cancer was no longer in remission, the Defendant convinced the Victim to sign a Power of Attorney so the Defendant could “assist her in paying the bills and maintaining her independence. Unbeknownst to the Victim, the Defendant forged the Victim’s initials on certain parts of the Power of Attorney that gave the Defendant the authority to “gift” all of her assets to the Defendant. |
| The Victim had a family that she was close to, and her adult daughter spoke with her daily on the phone and visited her 2-3 times a week. The Victim’s Daughter was the sole beneficiary of the Victim’s living trust. |
| Sadly, the Victim entered hospice care on December 25, 2019, and passed away on January 8, 2020, losing her three-year battle against bladder cancer. |
| It wasn’t until November 2020 that the Victim’s daughter learned that the Defendant had managed to steal the Victim’s home, her annuity accounts, her retirement accounts, and her checking account. The Defendant used the altered Power of Attorney, forged signatures, utilized online banking, and other methodologies to completely change the financial life and assets of the Victim. The Defendant also used her son as a Co-Defendant and Co-Conspirator in her exploitation of this vulnerable woman. The CoDefendant hired the lawyer to draft the Power of Attorney, had his girlfriend draft the deed that allowed the Defendant to steal the home, and, along with the Defendant, claimed to be the Victim’s children to the hospital medical staff. |
| The crimes were discovered almost ten months after the Victim passed away. The Victim’s daughter was locked out of her mother’s home for the first time. Subsequent police investigation revealed that collectively, the Defendant and Co-Defendant took hundreds of thousands of dollars and a home from our elderly victim. |
| Suzanne and Stacy would like to thank Detective Jack Devaney of the Doral Police Department, ASA Mary Ernst, Secretaries T’Kirah Smith and Danielle Wilson of the Economic Crimes Unit. |
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