March is Women’s History Month during which we honor the legacy, leadership, and the future of women throughout our nation. During this time, we are invited to pause and recognize the extraordinary women whose courage, brilliance, and perseverance have shaped our community. Each generation builds on the foundation laid by those who came before—layer upon layer of strength, vision, and possibility—so that future generations can rise to heights we cannot yet imagine.
This month, I had the privilege of participating in many events throughout our beautiful county that celebrate women who are true trailblazers. These are leaders who serve their communities with integrity and purpose, women who are not only breaking barriers but also widening the path for others to follow.
Across every conversation and gathering, a powerful theme emerged: women leading with intention; addressing critical issues; and creating strategies and partnerships. Women who are driving collaboration, sparking innovation, fighting for justice, and empowering others. Women committed to meaningful change and to strengthening our communities from the inside out.
As we honor their contributions and those of all women, we also recognize the collective momentum they create which carries all of us forward.
Thank you and God Bless,
Sincerely,
IN THIS EDITION
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle Honored With 2026 Exemplary Women Award
CABA Honors State Attorney at “The Power Circle: Miami’s Women in Leadership Luncheon”
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle Serves as Keynote Speaker and Honoree at Global Initiative Foundation Luncheon
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle Announces Arrests Tied to 2025 Drug-Related Death Investigation
Upcoming Event:
Second Chance Event
Community Outreach in Action
"Second Chance"
Seal or Expunge Event
Welcoming our March 2026 Class
Judge Rachel Kamoutsas
Florida Sixth District Court of Appeal
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle Honored With 2026 Exemplary Women Award
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle was proudly recognized with the 2026 Exemplary Women Award by the City of Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Commission for Women, a distinction that celebrates her longstanding leadership, commitment to justice, and decades of dedicated public service to the residents of Miami‑Dade County.
During the ceremony, the State Attorney expressed her deep appreciation to the Commission for this meaningful honor and reflected on the importance of uplifting women who serve their communities with integrity and purpose. She also extended warm congratulations to the remarkable women who were honored alongside her, acknowledging their contributions and shared commitment to strengthening our community
CABA Honors State Attorney at “The Power Circle: Miami’s Women in Leadership Luncheon”
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle was honored at The Power Circle: Miami’s Women in Leadership Luncheon, hosted by the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA). This inspiring event brought together influential women from across Miami‑Dade’s legal and civic communities to celebrate leadership, service, and the trailblazers shaping the future of our county.
During the luncheon, the State Attorney was recognized for her years of dedicated public service, her steadfast advocacy for victims, and her commitment to strengthening trust and fairness within the justice system. Her leadership and long‑standing partnership with CABA continue to uplift and empower the diverse communities of Miami‑Dade.
The event served as a meaningful reminder of the impact of women in public service and the importance of continued collaboration within the legal community.
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle Serves as Keynote Speaker and Honoree at Global Initiative Foundation Luncheon
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle served as the keynote speaker at the Global Initiative Foundation’s Power & Influence Luncheon, where she addressed the critical issue of human trafficking and the ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable individuals throughout Miami‑Dade County. Her remarks underscored the importance of coordinated strategies, community partnerships, and continued vigilance in combating exploitation.
During the event, the State Attorney was honored with the Power & Influence Award in recognition of her leadership, prosecutorial innovation, and long‑standing commitment to smart justice. She also presented the Global Initiative Foundation with a certificate commemorating its seventh year of impactful service to the community.
The luncheon highlighted the shared dedication of local leaders and organizations working to advance justice, empowerment, and meaningful change across Miami‑Dade.
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle Announces Arrests Tied to 2025 Drug-Related Death Investigation
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, joined by City of Miami Police Chief Manny Morales, FDLE SAC John Vecchio, and ASA State Attorney Shawn Abuhoff, held a press conference announcing the arrests of four individuals connected to a fatal drug-related incident that resulted in the death of 24-year-old Jenniha Le during the 2025 Ultra Music Festival.
Those arrested include 26‑year‑old Charlene Forti, who is charged with First Degree Murder; 25‑year‑old Carmen Lo, who is charged with Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder; 25‑year‑old Hannah Le‑Nguyen, also known as Hung Nguyen, who is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance; and 26‑year‑old An Tan Ly, also known as Andrew Ly, who is also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance.
These charges fall under Florida’s “death by distribution” statute, which only allows a person to be charged with first‑degree murder if they unlawfully distribute a controlled substance that directly causes another person’s death, regardless of intent.
The State Attorney noted that Miami‑Dade County is known worldwide as a vibrant, energetic destination—welcoming more than 28 million visitors last year alone. With South Florida preparing to host the 2026 Ultra Music Festival, one of the most anticipated global music events of the year, law enforcement agencies are working closely with festival organizers to ensure attendee safety. Ultra maintains a strict zero‑tolerance drug policy, and Florida’s drug laws are actively enforced on‑site.
Despite these efforts, tragedy struck on March 30, 2025, when Ms. Le became unresponsive after ingesting MDMA. Her partner, Hannah Le‑Nguyen (AKA Hung Nguyen), sought help at the festival’s medical tent as she drifted in and out of consciousness. She was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, where she died the next morning. The Medical Examiner ruled her death an accidental overdose caused by acute MDMA toxicity.
A thorough investigation was conducted to trace the source of the drugs that led to Jenniha Le’s death. Extensive digital evidence - including text messages, social media communications, and cell-phone location data, revealed a clear chain of events. The evidence showed that Nguyen first contacted Carmen Lo seeking MDMA. Lo then connected Hannah (AKA Hung Nguyen) to Charlene Forti, who agreed to supply the drugs. Forti ultimately provided the MDMA to An Tan Ly (AKA Andrew Le), who then coordinated with Hannah to deliver it at the festival.
As Jenniha’s condition rapidly deteriorated after ingesting the pill, Hannah (AKA Hung Nguyen) messaged Forti asking whether the substance was truly MDMA. Forti replied that when she tested it, it registered as MDMA, a chemically similar but often more potent compound.
Upcoming Event:
Second Chance Event
The State Attorney’s Office will host its next Second Chance Seal or Expungement event on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.at the Miami Vineyard Church.
This free community event helps eligible individuals begin the process of sealing or expunging their Miami‑Dade arrest records, with staff and partners on‑site to answer questions and assist with applications.
Community members are encouraged to attend and take an important step toward new opportunities and a fresh start.
Community Outreach in Action
SAO Community Outreach Representative Janeen Jones partnered with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc’s Beta Tau Zeta Chapter’s Eldercare Elite to speak with seniors at the Mildred & Claude Pepper Towers in Liberty City about scams targeting older adults and how to prevent them. Residents learned how to spot common fraud schemes, protect their personal information, and access trusted resources.
This effort supports the work of our Elder and Vulnerable Adult Exploitation (EVA) Unit, one of the first specialized prosecution units in Florida and the nation.
Human Trafficking Unit Senior Victim Advocate Tanya Gennusa participated in District 11’s Child Safety and Sex Trafficking Awareness Panel, joining community partners to educate local residents on protecting children and teens. Attendees learned how to talk with youth about trafficking risks, online safety, warning signs, available resources, and the
SAO Human Trafficking Hotline.
Participants left with a clear message that when it comes to protecting our youth,: “If you see something, say something.”
The State Attorney’s Justice in Motion (JIM) Bus is currently at the Miami‑Dade County Youth Fair, where it will remain until April 5th, 2026. Our SAO team is on‑site each day, connecting with families and students, sharing resources, and providing information about the services offered by the State Attorney’s Office.
The JIM Bus continues to bring justice education directly into the community, making support and information accessible to residents in a welcoming, approachable setting.
Outreach Specialist Angie Fernandez met with the Homeowners Association and tenants of Coconut Grove and Little Bahamas to share details about our upcoming Sealing & Expungement Eventand the educational presentations available through the State Attorney’s Office.
She highlighted programs including EVA for seniors, START for youth groups, and our Sexting & Digital Safety presentation for parents and high school seniors preparing for college in 2026 and 2027.
"Second Chance"
Seal or Expunge Event
State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle thanks all who attended the “Second Chance” Sealing and Expungement event held at the Samuel K. Johnson Youth Center. The SAO assisted 90 individuals, with 60 attendees eligible to seal or expunge one prior arrest in Miami-Dade County.
“Second Chance’ events would not be possible without the help of our extraordinary volunteers and community partners, including the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court and Comptroller’s office, City of Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins, and the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. Together, we are helping residents move forward with renewed opportunities.
We are excited to announce that the next “Second Chance” event will take place on April 23, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Miami Vineyard Church. We look forward to continuing to bring these life‑changing opportunities to neighborhoods across Miami‑Dade County. Stay connected with us for more updates on future events.
Welcoming our March 2026 Class
The State Attorney’s Office is proud to welcome the March 2026 Class, a dynamic group of new prosecutors ready to serve the people of Miami‑Dade County. These talented attorneys bring fresh perspectives, strong legal training, and a shared commitment to justice, integrity, and public service.
As they begin their journey with our office, we look forward to supporting their growth, celebrating their achievements, and watching them make a meaningful impact in our courts and our community.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our newest ASAs as they embark on this important chapter of their careers.
Judge Rachel Kamoutsas
Florida Sixth District Court of Appeal
This month, we highlight a distinguished member of our SAO family.
We present our SAO alumna - Judge Rachel Kamoutsas.
Born in North Carolina and raised in the eastern part of the state, Judge Rachel Kamoutsas grew up in a
close-knit family alongside her older brother and sister. Her upbringing was shaped by two very different
but deeply influential worlds: her mother, originally from Mexico City, who poured her heart into being a
devoted mother, cook, and homemaker; and her father, a Brooklyn native who grew up on Long Island and
spent his career in local government and public service. Their example instilled in her a strong sense of
duty, humility, and service to others.
Even as a child, she didn’t have a specific career path in mind, but she always knew one thing with
certainty, “I wanted to serve others in a meaningful way,” she explains.
Judge Kamoutsas attended Kinston High School in the small rural town of Kinston, North Carolina, before
heading to the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill for her undergraduate studies. It was
during her time at UNC and post-graduation, that the idea of law school began to take shape. “After an
internship with a small criminal defense firm and much prayer, I applied to law school.”
She went on to earn her J.D. from Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach. There she served as a
member of the Regent Law Review, interned for the Virginia Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeals of
Virginia.
Her path toward criminal law—and ultimately prosecution—was a natural progression. Prior internships
with criminal law firms, her interest in courtroom advocacy, and encouragement from her now-husband,
Anastasios "Stasi" Kamoutsas (Education Commissioner of Florida), a Miami native, led her to apply to
the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. After three rounds of interviews—all in a single day—she was
offered a position.
Judge Kamoutsas’ trajectory at the SAO was steady and purposeful. She began in county court, advanced
through juvenile, and ultimately served in circuit court, leaving the office as an “A” prosecutor. The motto
displayed in every Gerstein Building courtroom— “We who labor here seek the truth”—left a lasting
imprint. The freedom and responsibility to pursue truth remains one of the most important lessons she
carries into her work today.
What she remembers most about her time at the SAO is the challenging, rewarding, and profoundly
meaningful nature of the work. She remains close with many former colleagues and values the
relationships built across multiple SAO classes.
She also reflects with gratitude on State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle’s leadership. “She has
always been approachable, kind, receptive of input, and hardworking. I will always appreciate that Ms.
Rundle took a chance on an out-of-state law student, to give me my first job, that gave me such a wealth
of experience and perspective.”
“I have not been surprised by Judge Rachel Kamoutsas’ ascent through Florida’s legal and judicial system
as I recognized her talents from the minute we first met,” says State Attorney Katherine Fernandez
Rundle. “Her legal career, starting in the SAO, has always reflected a steady expansion of knowledge and
experience shaped by her rigorous prosecutorial work, her high-level advisory roles, and her genuine love
for research and writing, all done in the pursuit of justice and truth.”
From August 2013 to April 2018, Judge Kamoutsas served at the SAO before joining the Florida Attorney
General’s Office in the Capital Collateral Unit, where she handled death penalty and criminal appeals.
During that time, she also practiced before the Third District Court of Appeal.
In 2019, she was recruited to support Attorney General Ashley Moody in her role as the Chair of the
Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse. Upon completion of the Task Force’s commission, Judge
Kamoutsas was elevated to serve as Deputy General Counsel to the Attorney General, where she
continued to provide guidance on a wide range of issues to the agency, staff, and Attorney General. She
also served in the Opinions Unit, issuing written opinions on behalf of the Attorney General’s Office to
public officers on a variety of legal questions.
From 2022 to 2025, Judge Kamoutsas served the Board of Governors of the State University System of
Florida, first as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, and subsequently, as Chief of Staff.
Judge Kamoutsas’ interest in becoming an appellate judge grew gradually through these experiences. The
work affirmed her love for research, writing, analytical thinking, and bringing clarity to the interpretation
of the law.
Though the appointment process itself was rigorous, she is “thankful to be on this side of the
appointment process.” On November 7, 2025, Judge Rachel Kamoutsas was appointed to the Sixth
District Court of Appeal by Governor Ron DeSantis.
As she reflects on her journey, she offers this advice to young prosecutors and those just beginning their
careers:
Be mindful of the great responsibility you carry. Work hard in all you do (Colossians 3:23), and “act justly,
love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8).
Judge Kamoutsas is a wife and mother of four. She enjoys cooking, listening to sermons, and spending
time with family.
