OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – In a plea agreement with the state attorney’s office, Osceola County’s sheriff will pay a civil fine and plead no contest for posting the body of a missing girl on social media.
Sheriff Marcos Lopez was cited earlier this year for violating Florida public records law.
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The state attorney’s office said Lopez posted a photo of Madeline Soto’s body on Instagram on March 2.
A caption below the photograph said, “Great day with our seniors,” followed by an emoji of a smiley face wearing a halo.
Prosecutors said Lopez did not intentionally release the photo, but he still faced a fine of up to $500 for publicly releasing it in violation of state law, which says images showing the killing of a minor are confidential.
In the plea agreement, Lopez will pay a $250 fine. He will also avoid a hearing scheduled for this Friday about the issue.
Soto, 13, was found dead on March 1, four days after failing to show up for school and being reported missing.
Stephan Sterns, who had been dating Soto’s mother, has been charged with murder in the girl’s death.
News 6 Investigator Mike DeForest broke down Madeline Soto’s disappearance and Sterns’ arrest in a four-part series. You can watch it below.
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