Docs Show Sterns Abused Soto When She Was 11
(Kissimmee, FL)-- New evidence shows Madeline Soto was sexually abused for longer than previously thought. Soto is the 13-year-old Kissimmee girl whose body was found last week. Her mom's boyfriend, Stephen Sterns, was arrested for sexual battery. Police initially said the sexual abuse started when Soto was 12, but an arrest affidavit released yesterday revealed it went back further. Investigators say they accessed metadata on Sterns' phone that revealed disturbing images from August 2022, when Soto was 11. Sterns has not been charged in Soto's death, but he's considered a suspect.
Brevard County Man Accused Of Smuggling Illegal Immigrants
(Merritt Island, FL)-- A Brevard County man is accused of smuggling illegal immigrants in to the US. Merritt Island's Michael Milano was arrested Saturday. The 42-year-old was allegedly transporting about 25 people from the Bahamas on his boat into Brevard County. Investigators believe the passengers were from Haiti, and none of them had proper IDs. Channel 9 reports, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized the boat.
Over 200 Arrested In Polk County Human Trafficking Operation
(Bartow, FL) -- Over 200 people are facing charges in a human trafficking investigation in Polk County. The sheriff's office yesterday announced the results of Operation March Sadness 2024. The eight-day undercover operation led to 228 arrests and the discovery of 13 possible human trafficking victims. Sheriff Grady Judd says the arrests represent a new record for an investigation of this kind. Over 40 of those arrested are Polk residents, and 21 others are in the country illegally. The suspects range in age from 16 to 73, and some are teachers and coaches. Detectives also seized drugs like fentanyl, heroin and cocaine and 17 guns.
Florida Launch Law And Order Initiative For Spring Break
(Miami Beach, FL) -- Florida is cracking down on people who are planning to cause trouble during spring break. Governor Ron DeSantis held a news conference in Miami-Dade County earlier today saying there will be an increased police presence at vacation hot spots, like Miami Beach, Panama City, and Daytona Beach. More than a dozen law enforcement agencies have asked for a total of one-hundred-forty state troopers to help them throughout the break. DeSantis says he will honor the requests and grant bonuses for police. He went on to say that Florida is a welcoming state, but we don't welcome mayhem.
State Lawmakers On Track To Finish New Budget
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Florida lawmakers are on track to approve a new spending plan. State House and Senate budget negotiators published their proposal earlier today. This will allow time for a mandatory 72-hour cooling-off period before a Friday vote, which will conclude the 2024 legislative session. The plan would allocate millions of dollars for water and sewer projects, give state employees a three-percent raise, and support a toll relief program. Once approved, the budget will head to the governor's desk.
Today in History
1857, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in the Dred Scott case. The court ruled black Americans were not full citizens. The case came about when an escaped slave filed a lawsuit to have himself declared free.
1836, Mexican General Santa Anna and his army captured the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, after a 13-day battle. Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie were among the 187 U.S. soldiers killed during the siege.