ORLANDO, Fla. – The man investigators believe is the prime suspect in the death of 13-year-old Madeline Soto is now facing dozens of counts related to pictures and video of child sex abuse found on his phone.
The Orange-Osceola state attorney’s office announced Tuesday it filed 60 counts against Stephan Sterns, who was arrested in February.
Sterns is facing:
- 8 counts of Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12
- 5 counts of Sexual Battery with a Child 12-18 (Familial/Custodial Authority)
- 7 counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation
- 40 counts of Unlawful Possession of Materials Depicting Sexual Performance by a Child Ten or More Images
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The state attorney’s office said Sterns will eventually be arraigned on the charges. If convicted, Sterns faces up to life in prison.
60 new charges have been filed against Stephan Sterns by the State Attorney's Office after the investigation revealed more images and videos depicting criminal acts. Read the full news release at https://t.co/T7xI7wuxf3 pic.twitter.com/7KsBiJtOtV
— Kissimmee Police (@kissimmeepolice) March 12, 2024
Sterns was arrested after police looking for Soto searched his phone and found pictures and video depicting the sexual abuse of a child.
Investigators said Sterns had tried to erase the material but they were still able to access it. Court records show Sterns was sexually abusing Soto. Files on the phone depicting the abuse were found going back to 2022, an arrest affidavit said.
Sterns was the boyfriend of Soto’s mother. Soto was found dead in a wooded area in Osceola County on March 1.
[TIMELINE: Here’s where things stand in Madeline Soto case]
Investigators said Sterns claims he dropped Soto off at a church near her school the day she went missing, but they believe Sterns may have killed the girl at her Kissimmee home.
However, Sterns is not yet facing any charges related to Soto’s disappearance and death. Kissimmee police said the investigation is continuing.
Sterns is being held without bond.
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