Latest news with #Hialeah
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Parents of slain rapper "Baby Cino" sue Hialeah and EMTs over leaked photo
The parents of murdered Miami rapper "Baby Cino" are suing the City of Hialeah and three emergency medical technicians, alleging a disturbing violation of privacy and dignity following his death. The lawsuit claims EMTs at the scene of Timothy Starks' fatal shooting in March 2022 took a photo of his lifeless body, which later surfaced online as cover art for what the family describes as a diss track posted to SoundCloud. The image showed Starks—known as "Baby Cino"—slumped in the passenger seat of a red Altima, where an unknown gunman shot and killed him. Photo used without consent adds to family's trauma Starks' parents, Angelica and Edner Yeye, say the trauma deepened when a close family friend sent them the song cover. The explicit photo was used without their knowledge or consent. Although the image has since been removed from the track, the emotional impact remains. "That is very heartbreaking as a mother," said Angelica Blount-Yeye. "That's a picture I cannot—and will never—get out of my head." The family believes someone among the EMT crew took the photo, which was then leaked. Their attorney, Tobechuku Nwahiri, said that while three individuals are named in the lawsuit, it's about uncovering the truth and holding the responsible party accountable. "If it's one person, there's an opportunity for that person to come forward," Nwahiri said. "Or for the others to say who was involved." Call for accountability and policy change CBS News Miami contacted one of the EMTs named in the lawsuit, who referred the station to the City of Hialeah. The city responded by stating it does not comment on pending litigation. "This is unacceptable," said Edner Yeye. "Somebody's got to be held accountable." Attorney Nwahiri expressed hope that the lawsuit would prompt municipalities and first responders to adopt stricter protocols regarding the treatment of the deceased. "We want to see policy change—to protect families and to respect the dead," he said. The Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed that the investigation into Starks' murder remains open. No arrests have been made.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Hialeah parents told to stay away from daughter in child abuse and narcotics case, police say
A judge has appointed public defenders and issued stay-away orders for a married couple facing serious charges involving drug trafficking and child abuse, according to Hialeah police. Sharon Larsen, 47, a Miami-Dade public school teacher, was charged with child abuse without great bodily harm. She was issued a $2,500 bond and is permitted only supervised contact with the 17-year-old daughter, pending a dependency hearing, the judge ordered. Her husband, Peder Andre Larsen, 48, faces multiple charges including trafficking methamphetamine, selling heroin, cocaine and Xanax and a child abuse charge. He was ordered to have no contact with the same minor victim. Drug sales allegedly conducted at home According to Hialeah police, undercover detectives began investigating Peder Larsen in April. Between April and May 2025, detectives said they conducted numerous undercover narcotics purchases from him at the couple's apartment in the 5400 block of West 21st Court, where the teen was often present. During these controlled buys, detectives reported purchasing increasing quantities of methamphetamine mixed with fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and pills suspected to be Xanax and oxycodone. Police said some transactions allegedly occurred while the juvenile lay on a nearby couch or used a computer in the residence. Large quantity of narcotics seized On June 2, after securing a search warrant, Hialeah police executed a raid on the apartment. Authorities said they seized more than 1,400 grams of methamphetamine/fentanyl, along with heroin, cocaine, suspected fentanyl pills, THC cartridges, and over $20,000 in cash. Both parents were taken into custody. Police said Sharon Larsen was present during at least one undercover transaction and is accused of contributing to the conditions that endangered the minor.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Former Hialeah Police Chief Sergio Velazquez pleads not guilty to fraud, grand theft charges
One day after being arrested for allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds, former Hialeah Police Chief Sergio Velazquez appeared in court where he entered a plea of not guilty. Velazquez, 62, is charged with structuring, grand theft and an organized scheme to defraud. During a hearing Tuesday morning, Velazquez's attorney entered the plea on his client's behalf and requested a trial by jury. Miami-Dade County Judge Mindy Glazer, who found probable cause for the charges, set bond at $30 thousand. An official arraignment will take place in 21 days. Velazquez served as police chief from 2012 until his suspension in 2021. Police chief's alleged spending spree His arrest followed a complaint from the current police chief, who discovered discrepancies involving seized funds and petty cash stored in the department's safe, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement which conducted an investigation. FDLE agents allege that between 2015 and 2021, Velazquez made more than 900 cash deposits across multiple personal bank accounts, all under $10,000, amounts structured to avoid federal reporting requirements. The funds allegedly came from sources intended for confidential police operations and court-ordered forfeitures. The FDLE's probe revealed that during the final five months of Velazquez's tenure—from May to October 2021—about $560,000 in department funds were unaccounted for. Financial records reviewed in the investigation show Velazquez made over $300,000 in purchases from Rolex, along with additional luxury expenditures including $11,000 at Cartier, $6,700 at Louis Vuitton and $5,000 at Versace.
CBS News
4 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Ex-Hialeah police chief Sergio Velazquez arrested in alleged theft of public funds spent on Rolex, Cartier, authorities say
A former Hialeah police chief was arrested Monday following an investigation into allegations that he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds, officials said. Alleged misuse of police funds and financial structuring Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said Sergio Velazquez, 62, who served as chief from 2012 until his suspension in 2021, is charged with structuring, grand theft and an organized scheme to defraud. She called the case "shocking," citing the breach of public trust by someone in such a high-ranking position. Velazquez was arrested as he left his home Monday morning. At the time of his suspension by newly elected Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo in November 2021, Velazquez was earning $211,000 annually, making him the city's second-highest-paid employee. Investigation details reveal cash deposits and luxury purchases John Vecchio, Special Agent in Charge for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Miami Regional Operations Center, said the arrest followed a complaint from the current police chief, who discovered discrepancies involving seized funds and petty cash stored in the department's safe. FDLE agents allege that between 2015 and 2021, Velazquez made more than 900 cash deposits across multiple personal bank accounts, all under $10,000, amounts structured to avoid federal reporting requirements. The funds allegedly came from sources intended for confidential police operations and court-ordered forfeitures. Financial records reviewed in the investigation show Velazquez made over $300,000 in purchases from Rolex, along with additional luxury expenditures including $11,000 at Cartier, $6,700 at Louis Vuitton, and $5,000 at Versace. Officials noted that all suspicious cash deposit activity ceased following Velazquez's suspension in late 2021. Over $500,000 missing during five-month span The FDLE's probe revealed that during the final five months of Velazquez's tenure—from May to October 2021—about $560,000 in department funds were unaccounted for. Investigators identified 62 cash deposits during that time, all under the $10,000 threshold. Vecchio said the case involved more than 4,500 hours of investigative work, including subpoenaing financial records, conducting interviews, and executing search warrants.
CBS News
30-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
DeSantis signs bill enhancing charter school autonomy in Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a measure that will make a series of changes related to charter schools, including allowing charter schools to have stricter codes of conduct than traditional public schools. The code-of-conduct change drew debate before the House voted 86-25 on May 1 to pass the bill (HB 443). Opponents argued that charter schools could use stricter codes of conduct to exclude some students and said the codes could include issues such as hairstyles. Expanded enrollment and governance changes Rep. Alex Rizo, a Hialeah Republican who helped sponsor the bill, said it would allow parents to choose "something a bit more stringent" than traditional public schools and said many schools already have standards such as dress codes. Charter schools are public schools but are typically run by private operators and are generally not bound by the same regulations as traditional schools. Among other things, the bill will allow charter schools to increase enrollment to more than what was initially approved, though they could not exceed the capacities of their facilities. It also will seek to prevent charter-school landlords or their spouses from serving on charter-school governing boards. The bill, which was approved by the Senate in a 30-7 vote, will take effect July 1.
