I am very honored and grateful to have been sworn in again along with our dedicated Assistant State Attorneys and Investigators at our Investiture Ceremony. I want you to recognize that the three million people that we serve have recognized our efforts, our successes, our dedication and have honored us with another opportunity to swear an oath to serve and continue to do good work.
Seeing so many friends and community partners coming to celebrate with us as we reaffirm our commitment to justice, fairness, and the continued safety of our community was truly inspiring. The collaboration to make a meaningful and positive difference in the lives of our residents. Thank you to all who work with us and support us in keeping our residents and visitors safe. Once again it is an honor to continue to serve all of you.
The important work that we do could not be accomplished without the commitment, passion, and tireless efforts of the men and women at the State Attorney’s Office who are ministers of justice and ensure that the voices of victims of crime are heard. Last year alone, we handled over 50,000 arrests – impressive on all accounts, by any measure and that’s performing with a 32% vacancy rate.
I cannot adequately express my profound appreciation to our SAO family of prosecutors, investigators, and support staff who fight for the voiceless, the powerless, and the victimized and seek justice for each of those victims. Every day, we serve dual roles, protecting the innocent while prosecuting the guilty in a fair, appropriate, and respectful way. We strive to fulfill both of these obligations with equal vigor.
No matter how long I serve, I never cease to be amazed by their commitment, resilience, and their accomplishments. Many are very young lawyers who work hard for a lot less pay than elsewhere and in one of the most expensive cities in America. This is equally true of our many senior ASAs who remain with us as career public advocates and are some of the most gifted trial lawyers in the country.
I want to thank all the Assistant State Attorneys and Investigators who help make our cases. I also want to thank all the Victim/Witness Specialists who deal with all victims and witnesses many who become traumatized, and to all the support staff team members who are the backbone of your State Attorney’s Office to accomplish our mission. Thank you for everything that you do and all you give of yourself to our community. Thank you for being part of this noble profession.
Thank you and God Bless,
IN THIS EDITION
Renewing Our Oath of Office:
SAO Investiture Ceremony
SAO Celebrates Black History Month
SAO Ongoing Recruitment Efforts
"Healthcare Heros: Making a Difference for Survivors"
SAO Hosts Annual Human Trafficking Forum
Community Outreach in Action
Second Chance:
Seal or Expunge Event
The Success of Our Crime Fighters:
Courtroom Highlights
Explore Our 2024 Year in Review
Renewing Our Oath of Office:
SAO Investiture Ceremony
On February 18, members of the State Attorney’s Office gathered for our Investiture Ceremony at the University of Miami’s Donna E. Shalala Student Center Complex to reaffirm our commitment to our community and to upholding the laws outlined by the Constitution of the United States and the state of Florida.
Elected officials, dignitaries, law enforcement officials, community partners, family, and friends gathered to celebrate this milestone and honor the shared commitment to justice and service to the community.
“I sincerely appreciate everyone who attended our formal investiture ceremony. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of my lawyers, investigators, and support staff, upon whom the safety and well-being of this community depend," stated State Attorney Fernandez Rundle.
The ceremony, led by Claudia Puig, began with an invocation by Rabbi Mark Rosenberg, Pastor Arthur Jackson, III, and Father Manny Alvarez, which set the tone of reflection and gratitude. The Miami-Dade County Associations of Chiefs of Police Joint Honor Guard proudly presented the colors, while a talented Miami-Dade College New World School of the Arts student, Lisset Ledon, sang the National Anthem. Miami-Dade County Mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, and Founder of the Children’s Movement and Former Miami Herald Publisher, David Lawrence, delivered a warm welcome to nearly 600 attendees, emphasizing the importance of the investiture ceremony and the critical role of the State Attorney’s Office in community safety.
The ceremony included congratulatory video messages from colleagues, including United States Senator Rick Scott and Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Daniel Perez, who were unable to attend in person but still wished to share their wisdom and encouragement. Voluntary Bar Association members, including the Honorable Corali Lopez-Castro, Deborah Baker, Charise Morgan, Larry Handfield, and Markenzy Lapointe, addressed attendees reflecting on the importance of the work of the legal community and collaboration among colleagues, highlighting achievements of our office and the ongoing efforts of making a meaningful impact.
The presence of the judiciary and law enforcement added immense significance to the occasion, highlighting the strong collaboration between these vital sectors in the criminal justice system in upholding justice and safeguarding the community. The ceremony came to a close as State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle took her Oath of Office, administered by the Honorable John Couriel of the Florida Supreme Court. Assistant State Attorneys were sworn in by the Honorable Ariana Fajardo Orshan and the Honorable Bertilla Soto, while investigators recited their oath led by Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz. Kionne McGhee Vice Chair of the Board of County Commissioners ended the ceremony with the benediction, blessing attorneys, investigators, and support staff while reflecting on the mission of the State Attorney’s Office.
“As we recited the Oath, my office reaffirmed our commitment to fight for justice, fairness, and the well-being of the individuals of our community. To serve the community that we call home is not just a duty, but a privilege. One that I approach with humility and dedication to making a positive impact. However, I know that I could not do this important work alone. I am truly fortunate to have the 'Best Team in America' by my side. The expertise and passion of my attorneys, investigators, and support staff allow us to be ministers of justice and ensure that the voices of our victims are heard. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to continue this important work of making Miami-Dade a better place by protecting and defending our residents while upholding and enforcing the law."
- State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle
SAO Celebrates Black History Month
In celebration of Black History Month, the State Attorney’s Office proudly joins the community in recognizing the rich heritage and significant contributions of African Americans. This month serves as an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and victories of African Americans throughout history. We honor the legacy by showcasing significant milestones in Black history and displaying portraits of prominent African American judges, attorneys, and community leaders in our lobby throughout February.
To close out this significant month, members of our SAO community gather annually for an afternoon of traditional food, music, and reflection. This celebration recognizes the important contributions and achievements of the Black community.
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle opened this luncheon with welcoming remarks highlighting the importance of recognizing and celebrating our collective tapestry of cultures in Miami-Dade. Pastor Gregory Thompson of New Harvest Baptist Church led an opening prayer, setting a reflective tone for the event. After, a beautiful song from Natalie Wright filled us with joy and inspiration, followed by an incredible African American dance interpretation by one of our SAO Team Members, Nia Awonsa.
The event concluded with an inspirational conversation with ASA Kioceaia Stenson, led by ASA Yaneth Baez, offering valuable insight and reflections on the significance of the occasion.
We would like to recognize the work of the members of the BHM Committee and volunteers that made this year’s celebration a success.
Community Outreach Representative Janeen Jones attended the Black History Month Celebration hosted by Liberty Square Friends and Family, Inc. This event was held at the Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus and honored community legends, including entrepreneur, Mack Samuel, educator and activist, Nancy Dawkins, and celebrity chef and restaurateur, Chef Dee.
Students from Holmes Elementary, Horace Mann Middle School, and Miami Northwestern High joined in the festivities by reciting poems and musical selections that celebrated and honored Black History Month.
SAO Ongoing Recruitment Efforts
Deputy Chief Assistant Nilo Cuervo participated in a panel discussion at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law. He joined a distinguished group of litigators, where he spoke about the crucial role of a prosecutor, offering insights into the responsibilities and challenges of the position within the criminal legal system.
Chief Assistant State Attorney Stephen Talpins participated in a panel discussion at George Washington University, where he discussed State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle’s Smart Justice approach to prosecution and career opportunities available through our office. He was joined by a distinguished group of prosecutors who highlighted the role of a criminal prosecutor within the legal system.
"Healthcare Heros: Making a Difference for Survivors"
SAO Hosts Annual Human Trafficking Forum
During National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, partnered with the Dean of the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Dr. Hudson Santos, to host her Annual SAO Human Trafficking at the University of Miami’s Donna E. Shalala Student Center Complex.
This year’s theme, “Healthcare Heroes: Making a Difference for Survivors,” focused on the dedicated healthcare professionals who can make a difference for victims and survivors of this modern-day slavery. Guest speakers emphasized the crucial role of healthcare workers in the fight against human trafficking, as they are often the first to encounter victims. By teaching them how to recognize the signs of human trafficking, providing them access to necessary services, and connecting them to law enforcement agencies, we can implement our victim-centered approach to combatting this heinous crime.
Over 400 people attended, including Miami Interim Provost Dr. Willy Prado, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Board Chair Mari Tere Rojas, other school board officials, several police chiefs, health leaders, community advocates, nurses, educators, law enforcement officers, first responders, volunteers, and countless other key stakeholders.
The event featured two insightful panel discussions. The first, moderated by the THRIVE Clinic Founding Director, Dr. JoNell Potter, included community representatives from the Center of Haitian Studies, Kristi House Project Gold, the THRIVE Clinic, Miami-Dade Public Schools, and BRIGHT.
The second discussion was led by Former University of Miami President, Donna E. Shalala and featured an Inter-Disciplinary Panel, which included School of Communication Dean Karin Wilkins, School of Education and Human Development Dean Laura Kohn-Wood, School of Law Interim Dean Patricia Abril, Miller School of Medicine Executive Dean Latha Chandran, and School of Nursing and Health Studies Dean Hudson Santos.
Raising Community Awareness
to Human Trafficking
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle spoke at the National Women’s Shelter Network, Inc. Conference in Washington, D.C. The panel, titled 'Supporting Victims & Survivors of Gender-Based Violence Trafficking & Trauma from Intake to Successful Exits', focused on how gender-based violence and victimizations contribute to homelessness and complex traumas.
The distinguished panelists and experts highlighted the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by survivors, emphasizing how shelters and resources can play a crucial role in their healing journey.
This national conference brought together hundreds of shelter leaders, national allies, and government officials all committed to improving the lives of women, children, and families facing homelessness across the country.
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle had the honor of being one of the keynote speakers at the Runway Rescue Event hosted by the Taking Back the Girls Non-Profit Foundation. She addressed attendees on the critical issue of Human Trafficking. The event successfully brought together community leaders, including Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Vice Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners Kionee McGhee, advocates, and supporters dedicated to the protection of at-risk girls.
This special event featured powerful presentations from survivors and advocates, highlighting the urgency of combating this form of modern-day slavery. A runway show, showcasing designs created by teen mothers and teen survivors, provided a unique platform for empowerment and awareness.
Community Outreach in Action
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Community Outreach Representative Janeen Jones, and the Justice in Motion (JIM) Bus, joined local leaders, members of law enforcement, and community residents for the 48th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in Liberty City.
The parade route followed 10 miles of sacred ground that Dr. King once traveled during his frequent engagements in Miami.
This celebration promotes racial pride and community unity by acknowledging the contributions of various ethnic groups. The parade is an annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s message of non-violent change, honoring his vision of freedom, justice, and equality, while providing a platform that empowers individuals and inspires positive change within our community.
Community Outreach Representative Janeen Jones, along with our Justice in Motion (JIM) Bus, attended the Trayvon Martin Foundation Annual Peace Walk & Peace Talk in Miami Gardens. This year’s event was especially powerful as attendees celebrated what would have been Trayvon’s 30th Birthday. Various elected officials, justice groups, law enforcement agencies, and community members participated in the walk to honor the life of Trayvon Martin while raising awareness to end senseless gun violence in our community.
Community Outreach Representative Angie Fernandez attended the University of Miami Crime Prevention and Safety Fair hosted by the University of Miami Police Department. Angie engaged with students, faculty, and staff about crime prevention and safety awareness tips, as well as resources and services offered through the State Attorney's Office that are available to the Miami-Dade community.
Community Outreach Representative Angie Fernandez conducted the START Program presentation for students at Paul Bell Middle School. During the presentations, Angie explained the decision-making process which covers all aspects of Juvenile Delinquency and related issues such as school violence, weapons at school, drugs, sexting, bullying, and consequences for these acts.
Second Chance:
Seal or Expunge Event
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle thanks all who attended the “Second Chance” Seal or Expunge Event held at Miami Dade College - Homestead Campus and the Jorge Mas Canosa Youth Center.
Over the last two months, the State Attorney’s Office, along with the help of the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller and Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office assisted 187 individuals, with 116 eligible to seal or expunge one arrest in Miami-Dade County.
“Second Chance” Events would not be possible without the help of our amazing volunteers and community partners, including Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and South Dade NAACP.
We look forward to bringing our "Second Chance" Event to Little Haiti next month! Be sure to follow us on social media for additional details.
The Success of Our Crime Fighters:
Courtroom Highlights
Congratulations to Domestic Crimes Unit (DCU) ASA Lindsay Davis and Human Trafficking (HT) ASA Nicolas Chavez for securing a guilty verdict of Burglary with a Battery and two counts of Sexual Battery.
The Defendant and Victim were exes who shared a child in common. When the Victim began dating someone new, the Defendant became jealous and confrontational, and their co-parenting relationship deteriorated. On the morning of April 6, 2017, two men entered the Victim’s home wearing face coverings, one wielding a firearm. The gunman shoved the Victim to the ground, tied a blanket around her face, and threatened to shoot her. The gunman raped the Victim. Then the gunman dragged her around the home by her hair and told her, “Now my friend is going to come.” The Victim was raped in the same way by the other man. The attackers told the Victim to wait 10 minutes before moving and not to call the police or they would come back and kill her and her son. The attackers took her cell phone and fled.
The Victim waited a while before removing the blanket from her head and collecting herself. She then went to her neighbor’s house and asked to use her phone. The Victim was afraid to call the police because of the threats. Her family called the police, and the Victim cooperated with law enforcement and went to the Rape Treatment Center for an examination. The Victim did not know who attacked her and never suspected the father of her child. There were no suspects at first, and the case went cold.
In February 2019, it was discovered that DNA in the FBI database from the Defendant matched the DNA profile developed from semen found in the Victim’s vaginal swabs and on her shorts. When the lead detective shared this news with the Victim, she was shocked and devastated. The Defendant was subsequently arrested and denied any involvement in the attack. Unfortunately, the second attacker was never identified or apprehended.
The State successfully litigated a Williams Rule pre-trial motion and was allowed to introduce evidence of an incident two weeks before the attack where the Defendant broke into the Victim’s home while she was with her new boyfriend and punched her. The State was also allowed to introduce Williams Rule evidence of an incident from approximately 4 months later where the Defendant attacked the Victim as she was getting into her car outside her home. At trial, the defense called three alibi witnesses to testify that Defendant was at work on the morning of April 6th. The witnesses also alluded that the Victim and Defendant were still in a sexual relationship at that time to explain the presence of the Defendant’s DNA. Throughout the trial, the defense argued it was impossible to believe that the Victim would not have recognized the Defendant as her attacker. However, the State was able to debunk the alibi and
the jury found that the Defendant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The ASAs would like to thank DCU Chief Mari Jimenez, Victim/Witness Coordinator Jovani Rojas, Sexual Assault Victim Specialist April McClellan, DCU Secretary Cecilia Gomez, ASA Josephine Farrell, and the Litigation Support Unit.
Congratulations to ASAs Stephanie Oraa and Jason Perez for securing a guilty verdict of Attempted Kidnapping of a Minor Under 13 and Battery.
On September 27, 2023, an 8-year-old girl, her mother, and her aunt were walking through the plaza at Government Center towards the bus stop. The Defendant, a stranger, unexpectedly approached and began accosting them. The mother repeatedly told the Defendant that they were not going to do this in front of her child. The agitated Defendant began yelling profanities at the two women. Although he started to walk away at one point, he continued looking back and screaming at them. Less than a minute later, the Defendant turned around and came toward them in this hostile manner. Again, the mother told the Defendant that she was not going to do this in front of her child. Then the Defendant said, “F-ck it, Imma take the baby then.” The Defendant reached towards the child, but the two women were in front of him and prevented it. Then he slapped the aunt in the face. When a nearby security officer shouted, the Defendant ran away.
Throughout the trial, the defense argued that the Defendant never had the intent to take the child and only moved in the direction of the child to avoid being struck by the aunt while they were arguing. Additionally, the defense argued that the Defendant could not have had the intent to kidnap the child because no one commits a kidnapping in broad daylight and because he never touched her. On the morning of the trial, the Defendant appeared clean-shaven and with a haircut, which made him look significantly different than he did on the day of the crime.
Surveillance video footage was introduced at trial. However, the camera’s position down the street, the angle, and the quality of the video did not clearly show the Defendant reaching for the child. The mother and the aunt walked the jury through the events and were able to point to the exact moment when the Defendant reached for the child. The Security Officer also testified about what he saw that day. He was shown the video for the first-time during cross-examination. Defense counsel asked the Security Officer to point out where “the reach” was shown on the video.
The Security Officer said that he could not tell where the Defendant was reaching for the child on the video. The defense then asked, “Isn’t there now doubt that the Defendant ever reached for the child?” The Security Officer responded that there was absolutely no doubt in his mind that the Defendant had reached for the child because he saw it with his own eyes and from a better perspective than the camera that captured that video footage. The jury found the Defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The trial attorneys thank Career Criminal / Robbery Unit Assistant Chief Kioceaia Stenson and Felony Division Chiefs Cristina Diamond, Sonali Desai, and Natalie Snyder for their invaluable assistance with legal research and trial strategy on this challenging case.
Congratulations to ASA Wally G. Hernandez and Division Chief Ashley Ramkishun for securing a guilty verdict of Carjacking with a Firearm. As a Prison Releasee Reoffender, the Defendant received a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment after the trial.
On November 15, 2023, the Defendant, masked and carrying a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine, carjacked the Victim at gunpoint at 2 A.M. after he parked in front of his home. He had just returned from a friend’s house where he was watching the Miami Heat game.
Although the Victim could not provide any details at all when the police first made contact with him, the Victim took time to compose himself and two hours later provided a clear, detailed description to the lead detective, including the ethnicity, height, and weight of the armed carjacker. He also remembered the firearm and the extended magazine. During jury selection, the State addressed how a person who had been in a traumatic situation might remember more details about the traumatic event after some time had passed than they did immediately afterward. This was an important issue in this case.
The Defendant was apprehended in the stolen vehicle less than 30 hours after the crime while driving in broad daylight with his girlfriend and newborn baby. During his arrest, he sobbed uncontrollably in the back of the police car—an emotional breakdown that spoke volumes. During closing arguments, the State referred to his “teardrops of guilt.”
The search of the vehicle revealed the extended firearm magazine in the glove box as described by the Victim, tying the Defendant circumstantially to the crime. However, it was the Victim’s testimony that truly resonated with the jury. Although the Defendant’s face was covered by the mask, the Victim’s identified the Defendant from a photo lineup over a day after the crime, based solely on the Defendant’s eyes. During the trial, the Victim told the jury, "I’ll never forget those eyes in my life."
The defense planned to call an alibi witness at trial, but after the state provided recorded jail calls between that witness and the Defendant to the defense, they decided against it. Throughout the trial, the defense argued that the Defendant was innocent and that the police didn’t complete a thorough investigation, leaning heavily on the fact that nothing was tested for DNA. However, the State was able to refute their arguments and the jury found that the Defendant had been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The ASAs would like to thank Division Chiefs Jonathan Borst and Sonali Desai Victim/Witness Coordinator Krystal Revel and Arielle Fedee, Support Staff members Janice Jones, Melissa Avila, and Farah Sanchez, and the Litigation Support Unit. Finally, ASA Hernandez is especially grateful to his wife for not going into labor during the trial.
Congratulations to Felony Division Chief Jonathan Borst and ASA Janeen Zamora for securing a guilty verdict in a 1985 double homicide case. The Defendant was found guilty of two counts of Second-Degree Murder with a Firearm and Armed Burglary with Assault or Battery.
The Defendant shot and killed Carlos Romero and Pedro Otero after entering their apartment in Little Havana without their permission. The Defendant and Carlos Romero were in a dispute over money that escalated over time. On the day of the incident, the Defendant accused him of stealing his furniture and ripping a photo of his deceased brother. The Defendant waited until later that night to return to the apartment. The Victims were eating sandwiches when the Defendant entered the apartment and shot them both in the chest.
The killings were witnessed by the sister of Pedro Otero, who immediately contacted the police and identified the Defendant. He was a wanted fugitive for decades, but ultimately, he was apprehended in Hillsborough County in 2022. The Defendant did not provide a statement to detectives when he was caught and did not testify at trial.
At trial, Ms. Otero testified that she has never forgotten the day her brother and his friend were killed and feels grateful that her life did not end that night. A neighbor, who was a child at the time of the killings, also testified at trial. She saw the Defendant before the shooting and as he was fleeing the scene. The neighbor explained that she saw him armed with a gun and holding a photo of his deceased brother when he came to her apartment door immediately before the shooting.
The trial attorneys would like to give special recognition to Homicide Counselor Andrea Marquez for providing invaluable support to the surviving eyewitness and next of kin through multiple hearings and the trial. The trial attorneys would also like to thank trial coordinator Mary Clifford, Senior Trial Counsel Lara Penn, and Felony Division Chiefs Rebecca DiMeglio and Kimberly Rivera for their assistance throughout the trial.
Congratulations to ASAs Vanessa Baptista and Jorge Rivera for securing a guilty verdict of Possession of Cocaine While Carrying a Firearm.
On September 23, 2023, the Defendant was stopped in reference to a “Be On the Look Out” for violating a domestic violence injunction. He was arrested and searched. A Detective found a firearm in the Defendant’s waistband that was concealed under his shirt. As the Defendant was sitting on the ground, the lead officer noticed the Defendant was shuffling his hands and was possibly trying to conceal something inside of them. The officer ordered the Defendant to open his hands to reveal what was inside. The Defendant refused to comply and struggled with the officer when he attempted to search him further. During the struggle, the Defendant attempted to discard a blue plastic baggie he had inside of his hand. Inside the blue baggie were 34 individual baggies of crack cocaine.
Throughout the trial, the defense alleged the officers involved in this case were “lying, incompetent, and corrupt.” The defense falsely accused the officers of conspiring to plant these drugs on the Defendant.
During the trial, the State presented the jury with numerous body-worn camera videos, several photos, the 34 baggies of crack cocaine, the firearm, and the ammunition that was impounded into evidence. The body-worn camera introduced at trial showed the cocaine falling out of the Defendant’s hands during the struggle. Playing the video in slow motion for the jury so they could see the blue baggie falling out of his hands was effective.
During the trial, the State presented five officers and one expert—the chemist—as witnesses. The officers walked the jury through the incident and were able to rebut the defense’s false allegations. The Defendant was found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt after three hours of deliberations.
The ASAs would like to thank the City of Miami Police Department’s Tactical Robbery Unit (Overtown District) for doing a great job on this case. They would also like to thank Victim/Witness Specialists Lisa Ellis and Emily Perdomo, Felony Division Chiefs Cristina Diamond, and Michael Monajemi for help with trial strategy, and the Litigation Support Team for their help in presenting the evidence to the jury. Finally, they want to give a special shout-out to Division Chief Johnette Hardiman and ASA Roger Alvarez for their help with this case.
Congratulations to ASAs Jennifer Deleon and Shirley Miranda for securing a guilty verdict of one count of Felony Battery.
The Defendant is the stepmother of the Victim’s children. On the day of the incident, the Victim went to the Defendant’s home to speak to her youngest child. While she was waiting outside for him to come to the door, the Defendant became jealous and enraged that the Victim was at her home. The Defendant threw a bucket of bleach at the Victim three times. The Victim sustained chemical burns to her chest and still has scars to this day. She also suffered a scratched cornea.
The police responded to the scene to investigate. Although the Defendant and her husband had Ring video footage of the incident, they refused to give it to the police. Unfortunately, despite making diligent efforts to obtain the video, the State was not successful. In the days leading up to the trial, the children’s father attempted to influence the children not to testify. Despite this, the Victim’s oldest daughter testified in the State’s case.
In the middle of the trial, just after the State rested its case, the Defense turned over old photographs of alleged child abuse allegedly committed by the Victim that they wanted to use at trial. A hearing was held on the defense’s violation of the discovery rules. Judge Hersch granted a three week recess so the State could investigate and react to the surprise evidence before finishing the trial.
When the trial resumed, the Defendant testified that she acted in self-defense. She also testified about the alleged prior bad acts of the Victim. The Victim and her older daughter testified again in rebuttal to dispute the Defendant’s testimony. The State successfully impeached the Defendant not only as to the incident at issue but the alleged prior bad acts as well. The jury ultimately found the Victim and her daughter to be credible and found the Defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The ASAs would like to thank Victim/Witness Specialist Lisa Ellis, Felony Division Chiefs Alex Bergida, Ray Araujo, and Mari Jimenez, ASA Kristen Rodriguez, and most importantly, Felony Domestic Violence ASA Lindsay Davis for all their help with this case.
Congratulations to ASA Natalie Oyarzun and ASA Jennifer Deleon for securing a guilty verdict of two counts of Attempted Second-Degree Murder with a Firearm and one count of Shooting or Throwing a Deadly Missile in Repeat Offender Court.
On November 22, 2019, the two teenage Victims, who were dating at the time, drove to Tropical Park intending to find an isolated area to park their vehicle. Once the couple chose a spot, they locked the car doors and moved into the back seat. After several minutes, the female Victim looked out of her window and observed a man standing in the roadway, casing their vehicle. Suddenly, the man approached and tried opening the driver’s side door. After realizing the door was locked, the man demanded that the Victims unlock the car.
When the Victims refused, the subject then moved around the vehicle attempting to make entry through each door until he made his way to the front passenger door and produced a firearm. The Defendant then shot into the vehicle through the front passenger door striking the male Victim in the chest and then fled the scene. The male Victim testified at trial that he still has the bullet inside of him to this day.
The identity of the Defendant was established by circumstantial evidence as the Victims could not make an identification and there were no eyewitnesses. A nearby neighbor reported hearing gunshots from the park and then seeing a red Hyundai Elantra speed away from the area with its lights off but was unable to provide a tag number to police officers. Crime Scene Investigators recovered a latent print from one of the door handles of the Victim’s vehicle that was identified as the Defendant’s.
Detectives then learned that the Defendant was on community control out of Broward County and had requested permission to work at Tropical Park on the night of the incident. The Detectives also discovered that the Defendant had recently taken his driver’s test in a red Hyundai Elantra that was registered to his girlfriend and the mother of his child. Despite her unwillingness to testify at trial, the State was still able to introduce a jail call between the Defendant and his girlfriend. During this jail call, the Defendant and his girlfriend coordinated what she would say to the Detectives about his access to her red Hyundai Elantra on the day of the incident. The jury ultimately found that the State proved the Defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The ASAs would like to thank Victim/Witness Specialist Lisa Ellis, Division Chief Patricia Mulholland, and Chief Assistant Deisy Hernandez for their invaluable support and assistance throughout the trial.
Congratulations to Sexual Battery Unit (SBU) ASA Jared H. Lorenz and ASA Alejandra De La Fuente for securing a guilty verdict of four counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation on a Child Under 12 and one count of Lewd and Lascivious Exhibition on a Child Under 16.
On February 19, 2021, during school, the Victim disclosed to her close friend that her stepfather had been molesting her since she was 5 years old. During the forensic interview, the Victim detailed the molestation she had endured, including the defendant touching her inappropriately and sexual assault. She also disclosed specific details about the Defendant touching himself in front of her.
The Victim’s mother was interviewed. She told the detective that the Defendant had received a pearl penile implant while in prison in Cuba more than 8 years before. The Victim had described a distinguishable mark on the defendant’s genitalia.
Approximately one year after his arrest, a Motion to Inspect the Defendant’s body was heard and granted which permitted the lead Detective to take photographs of the Defendant’s genitals. The Defendant had not one, but two implants, the one described by the Victim and her mother and another heart-shaped implant. The Victim’s mother testified that he had no heart[1]shaped implant when they were intimate just days before his arrest. The State believes that the Defendant had the heart-shaped implant added while awaiting trial and before being photographed by the detective.
Prior to trial, the defense successfully made a motion to exclude any mention that the Defendant was previously incarcerated in Cuba; however, the defense on cross-examination “opened the door” to evidence on the issue of his incarceration when they prompted the Victim’s mother to testify that he had been in custody ever since he was arrested. As a result, the Victim’s mother was allowed to testify on redirect that the Defendant had told her that he received the first implant while he was in prison in Cuba.
The jury found the Defendant was proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt on all five counts. He faces a 25-year mandatory minimum sentence and up to life in prison for each count of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation.
The ASAs would like to thank SBU Division Chief Natalie Snyder for her invaluable advice and fellow SBU ASAs Bronwyn Nayci, Marie Koth, and Lily Wisset for their support during the trial. The ASAs would also like to thank SBU Victim/Witness Coordinator Nancy Germeille for supporting the victim and for coordinating travel for the witnesses, SBU secretaries Charlotte Haslem and Valerie Ford for assisting with trial preparations, Forensic Interviewer Natalie Robinson for her important contributions, and Amy Weeks for her last-minute assistance. Finally, the ASAs would like to thank ASAs Carolina Sanchez, Conor Soper, and Natalie Mendez for their assistance before and during the trial.
Congratulations to ASA Alejandra De La Fuente and ASA Vianca Picart for securing a guilty of 4 counts of Sexual Battery on a Child Under 16 by a Person with Custodial or Parental Authority.
On March 19, 2022, the Victim disclosed to her boyfriend that her stepfather had been repeatedly sexually assaulting her since she was twelve years old. When interviewed, the Victim informed Detectives that the Defendant had been sexually assaulting her at his place of work. She was also able to tell them the specific location of a blanket he had hidden inside a locked storage closet that he would use during the assaults. The blanket was found and tested positive for DNA belonging to both the Victim and the Defendant.
Additionally, a search of the Defendant’s phone revealed that he had taken a video of himself sexually assaulting the Victim. Although their faces were not visible in the video, the identities of those in the video were confirmed by clothing and a distinguishable freckle on the arm of the Victim.
The Defense argued that the Victim and her mother had fabricated these allegations for money since they had sued the Defendant’s place of employment.
After approximately two hours of deliberation, the jury found the Defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He faces up to life in prison for each count at sentencing.
The ASAs would like to acknowledge the Victim’s courage in coming forward and testifying before the jury. The ASAs would like to thank SBU Division Chief Natalie Snyder for her advice, ASA Stewart Hedrick for his assistance with the video evidence, and Felony Division Chief Casey Hughes and ASA Shirley Miranda for their support during the trial. They would also like to thank Victim/Witness Coordinator Larsen Barrera and Felony Secretary Andleen Present for their assistance and support throughout the trial.
Explore Our 2024 Year in Review
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office 2024 Year in Review is now available, providing valuable insight into the programs and services offered by the State Attorney’s Office. We encourage you to explore this edition to better understand how our office is working to make a positive impact on our Miami-Dade community through our commitment to justice, support of crime victims, and engagement with our community.
