Stephan Sterns Could Receive a Life Sentence for What Police Discovered on His Phone

Stephan Sterns is almost certainly going to prison for the rest of his life. He might also receive the death penalty.

Mar. 15 2024, Published 5:11 p.m. ET

On Feb. 26, 2024 a mere 4 days after her thirteenth birthday, Madeline Soto was once pushed to school by means of her mother's boyfriend. Stephan Sterns would later tell police he dropped the teenager off a couple of blocks clear of her heart college, possibly as a result of she was once embarrassed. Later that day, Madeline's mother Jennifer Soto used to be horrified to discover her daughter never made it to college. No one concept to call Jennifer to inquire about Madeline's absence.

In a heartbreaking on-camera interview with WFTV Channel 9 the day after Madeline vanished, Jennifer informed the reporter the whole thing she knew concerning the day she ultimate saw her daughter. Then Sterns stepped in looking devastated, with ashen skin and bloodshot eyes. He gave the impression to be very a lot enjoying the position of the grieving spouse to Jennifer. The following day he would be arrested and charged with "sexual battery and possession of child sex abuse material," in step with Fox 35 Orlando. Where is he now? Here's what we all know.

Where is Stephan Sterns now? He is being held in Osceola County Jail.

NBC News reported that since Sterns's Feb. 28, 2024 arrest, 60 charges had been added to an already alarming listing. As of this writing, he has no longer been charged with Madeline's loss of life but he's the high suspect. In an arrest affidavit bought by way of the hole, police mentioned they searched Sterns's telephone and located "disturbing" pictures and movies that were "criminal, and sexual in nature." Evidently he attempted to get rid of those troubling pictures and movies by doing a manufacturing facility reset on his phone.

After a forensic examination was conducted, more frightening pictures have been came upon on Sterns's telephone. They went way back to 2019 and involve a sufferer underneath the age of 12. He has since been charged with "eight counts of sexual battery on a child under 12, five counts of sexual battery with a child 12 to 18 (familial/custodial authority), seven counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and 40 counts of unlawful possession of materials depicting sexual performance by a child 10 or more images," in step with NBC News.

If convicted, Stephan Sterns may just receive a lifestyles sentence or the death penalty.

David Thomas, a professor of forensic research at Florida Gulf Coast University, spoke with WESH 2 News in regards to the severity of Sterns's crimes in the state of Florida. "No matter what, he's not getting out of jail," he instructed the hole. Thomas is certain Sterns will never taste freedom once more. Obviously what sealed the deal was doing a complete forensic research of Sterns's phone. Without that, there would most probably be one or two charges against him, however it is the amount of evidence police have that is so damning.

If convicted, Sterns may just get life in prison or, worse, the loss of life penalty. What may just tip Sterns into the latter sentencing is that if he's charged with Madeline's homicide. Thomas believes police have sufficient circumstantial proof to fee Sterns with that, but is confident they are amassing enough to truly "make sure their case is sealed." He went on to mention, "They want to make sure justice is served, and it's served properly."

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