KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Court TV) — One day before his sex crimes trial was scheduled to begin, Stephan Sterns accepted a plea agreement for those charges as well as murder charges in the case of Madeline Soto.
Stephan Sterns sits in court after pleading no contest to the murder of Madeline Soto. (Court TV)
Sterns had faced two separate trials, one for 60 sex crimes charges that included child pornography and sexual assault, and the other for murder. Both cases centered around Soto, his girlfriend’s 13-year-old daughter, who was reported missing on Feb. 26, 2024. Soto’s body was found in a wooded area 40 minutes from her home days later.
Sterns pleaded no contest to first-degree premeditated murder and pleaded guilty to 20 sex crimes charges. As part of the agreement Sterns reached with the state, prosecutors withdrew their request for the death penalty. Sterns agreed to a pre-determined sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
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Sterns spoke few words during the hearing, answering that he understood what he had agreed to and stating that he was not pressured or coerced when asked by Judge Keith Carsten.
Prosecutor William Jay read a written statement from Soto’s maternal grandmother, remembering a “happy little girl” who loved to go shopping.
Soto’s aunt, Letizia Nunez, addressed the Court, saying, “I have so much hatred in my heart specifically for the creature that sits in this room today.” Nunez tearfully read her message, directed to Soto. “I’m so sorry we found out too late, but despite everything that was happening to you behind closed doors, you remained the happiest girl we’d ever met.” Others who spoke remembered a girl who loved Taylor Swift, arts and crafts and gummy candy.
Soto’s father delivered a victim impact statement, acknowledging that he hadn’t been in his daughter’s life as much as he would have liked. “I was this close to having my little girl,” he said, saying that they were working on their relationship. “You’re depraved, you’re weak, you’re a coward,” he said, addressing Sterns. “You’re a sneak thief. You crept into a family and took advantage of them and exploited them.”
Sterns offered a brief statement and apology to the court, saying, “I agree it’s not fair that Madeline is not here anymore. I’ve prayed to God countless times to trade places with her, to take me instead. Unfortunately, that’s just not how he works. I have nothing but sorrow for her loss and I miss her all the time.”
