SUMMARY: New jailhouse calls between Stephen Sterns and his parents reveal details about the tragic death of 13-year-old Maddie Soto. Sterns, accused of accidental homicide, discusses the night Maddie died, describing her behavior before she fell asleep and expressing regret about not calling for help sooner. He acknowledges the impact of their relationship on his romantic life, with his mother expressing disbelief in his guilt. The family is preparing for a potential death penalty case against Sterns, and his trial may be closed to the media due to concerns about jury bias.

Stephen Sterns, the man accused of murdering 13-year-old Madeline Soto, allegedly told his parents on the phone months after he death that it was “all an accident.”

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Fort Myers OKs agreement with ICE after removal threat by state attorney general

by Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix
March 21, 2025

The Fort Myers City Council reversed course amid legal threats from the state’s attorney general and signed an agreement with the federal government deputizing city police officers to act as immigration enforcement officials.

The reversal of the council’s block of the agreement with U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) came three days after Attorney General James Uthmeier sent them a letter warned that Gov. Ron DeSantis could remove them from office if they didn’t approve the agreement.

Three city council members who voted against the agreement earlier said they did so because they didn’t have enough information about the legal consequences, with council member Darla Bonk blaming the city’s attorney.

“We were never told this vote could expose us to becoming labeled as a sanctuary city despite the city’s continued lawful cooperation with ICE. That omission is critical to the lack of efficacy that we were displayed,” Bonk said during the Friday meeting.

“The role of the city attorney is not merely advisory, it is protective. It is the duty of our city attorney to guide this council clearly, lawfully, and thoroughly, especially when our decisions carry legal, financial, and physical implications.”

Uthmeier’s letter warned the council that its decision not to enter the agreement with ICE implicitly made Fort Myers a sanctuary city, which Florida law bans. Under a so-called 287(g) federal-state task force model, city police officers who receive training could question people about their immigration status and detain them if they are subject to deportation.

Responding to the council’s cave, Uthmeier said on X: “Good choice.” DeSantis appointed Uthmeier, his former chief of staff, as attorney general last month to replace Ashley Moody, now a U.S. senator.

The packed audience at the meeting erupted into boos after the council voted unanimously to approve the agreement with ICE, although police Deputy Chief Victor Medico couldn’t say how many officers would receive the 40-hour mandatory online training.

City Attorney Grant Alley urged the council to support the agreement.

“The attorney general’s opinion is not law, but it is persuasive. It should be given great weight,” Alley said, noting that it’s not clear whether the council broke the law.

Still, council members said they still had concerns about racial profiling, which was the reason the Obama administration discontinued its use of the 287(g) agreements after investigations and lawsuits in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Despite profiling concerns, more law agencies are joining street-level immigration enforcement

“To be clear, our vote was in concern to this because of the potential of violation of the Fourth Amendment and the racial profiling. It wasn’t that we are not in agreement of the city of Fort Myers Police Department collaborating with ICE, because we have been doing that,” Council member Diana Giraldo said, referencing a 2021 agreement allowing city police to execute and serve search orders, warrants, and subpoenas.

The agreement at issue during the Friday meeting would go beyond that, empowering police to detain people without warrants.

How are other cities and counties reacting to the pressure?

The courts could provide guidance on whether Uthmeier’s interpretation is correct, so the city of South Miami wants to punt the matter to the judicial branch, according to the Miami Herald. However, that city has not formally asked a court to intervene.

Fort Myers is not the only place where DeSantis’ push for sheriffs, state agencies, and municipalities to enter into the agreements that he labeled as the maximum level of cooperation that will lead to street-level enforcement.

In Pinellas County, the chief of school police signed a 287(g) agreement without the knowledge or authorization of the school board and superintendent, with an inquiry from Florida Phoenix alerting district officials that he had done so. Luke Williams, chief of Pinellas County Schools Police, said during a meeting on March 11 that he signed the agreement because he thought he had to.

This story has been updated to include information about a 2021 agreement between the city police and ICE.

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.

The post Fort Myers OKs agreement with ICE after removal threat by state attorney general appeared first on floridaphoenix.com

SUMMARY: A brush fire near New Smyrna Beach, Florida, has burned over 300 acres since it started near State Road 44 and 415. Smoke advisories are in effect, with visibility issues reported. The fire, which quickly escalated from a small size, prompted firefighters to monitor nearby homes and utilize multiple water sources for containment. Crews have been seen operating helicopters to scoop water from local ponds. Residents are advised to be cautious, especially those with respiratory issues, and to report any smoky areas while driving. Continuous monitoring and fire suppression efforts are ongoing to fully contain the blaze.

Crews are working to contain a brush fire that has burned over 300 acres in Volusia County, Florida, since Thursday. The fire is located near State Routes 44 and 415, west of New Smyrna Beach, near Samsula. As of Friday, no homes have been destroyed, and no evacuations have been issued, though some residents are preparing to evacuate if conditions worsen.

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