November 2023 | Volume 10

Dear Harry,

As we enter this holiday season and look forward to gathering with family and friends, I cannot truly express the immense gratitude I feel for all of you who work with us and support our mission. There is not enough I can say to thank you for being our partners in creating a safer community. We truly are blessed to be able to impact the lives of the residents of our vibrant community in positive ways.

Even though the work we do at the State Attorney’s Office comes with its challenges, it is important work that provides us with opportunities to prevent crime and help those experiencing some of the worst moments of their lives. What we do makes a difference for so many. We succeed because of our angels on earth - our staff and prosecutors who work diligently and with compassion to do what is right for victims and their families. It takes a very special person to bring commitment, passion, and a heart of service every single day to what they do. I am privileged to stand side by side with them as we apply our Smart Justice approach to criminal justice. I try to refrain from bragging but how can I when I have the Best Team in America!

I am grateful for the relationships we have with law enforcement, government agencies, and community organizations. The trust we have established amongst each other and with the community, along with the safety net of services we have created together has become invaluable to rebuilding the lives of those who have fallen victim to crime. I have always believed that collaboration and cooperation are key to effectively protecting our residents and seeking justice for the voiceless and vulnerable.

As your State Attorney, I want you to know that all of us are proud to accept the responsibility that you have bestowed upon us as your State Attorney’s Office. We are honored to work with you and for you.       

I wish you all the happiest of holidays!

Thank you and God Bless,

State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle held a press conference announcing the arrest of Alejandro F. Diaz Torriente, a local man who allegedly engaged in a scheme to defraud and exploit a vulnerable and elder resident of Miami-Dade County.

“Our investigation revealed that the Defendant engaged in a scheme to ingratiate and insert himself into the life of our 94-year-old victim to take her assets for his own purposes, namely money in bank accounts, and her home where she lives in El Portal, Florida, stated State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, “We allege that the Defendant diverted funds belonging to the Victim for purposes unrelated to her ongoing care and filed a modified title adding himself as a joint tenant with right of survivorship to the Victim’s home."

The investigation by the SAO

Elder and Vulnerable Adult (EVA) Task Force outlines in their arrest warrant how Torriente diverted nearly $20,000 to his account and filed a quit claim deed of right of survivorship to our victim’s property.

In April 2020, the Defendant initiated involvement with our Victim, undertaking tasks around her home. By September 2021, the Victim was declared incompetent, leading to the appointment of a long-time family friend and neighbor as her guardian. In September 2022, the guardian established a joint account with the Victim to manage her living and medical expenses. However, in October 2022, the Defendant opened a separate account, diverting the Victim’s Social Security benefits.

From December 2022 to March 2023, the Defendant systematically withdrew funds for his personal gain. In February of 2023, the Defendant filed a quit claim deed, asserting rights of survivorship over the Victim’s residence. By July 2023, the Defendant moved into the Victim’s home, changing the locks. During this time, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) performed a wellness check on the Victim, confronting the Defendant. In response, he opened a new bank account, draining funds from the Victim’s previous bank. 

Fortunately, the caring long-time family friend and vigilant neighbor reported financial discrepancies in the bank account to DCF, displaying her dedication and compassion for her friend. This timely intervention prevented our Victim from further financial and emotional exploitation.

Torriente was charged with:

• 1 Count - scheme to defraud (1st-degree felony)
• 1 count - exploitation of an elderly/disabled person in an amount over $50,000 (1st-degree felony)
• 1 count - exploitation of an elderly/disabled person in an amount over $10,000 but not more than $50,000 (2nd-degree felony)
•  1 count - grand theft on a person over 65 in an amount over $50,000 or more (1st-degree felony)
• 1 count - grand theft on a person over 65 in an amount over $10,000 but less than $50,000 (2nd-degree felony)
• 1 count - Unlawful filing of fraudulent documents or records against real or personal property (3rd-degree felony)

“The exploitation of elderly and vulnerable adults is not only immoral but also illegal. As you can see, we at the State Attorney’s Office EVA Task Force are a committed lean mean crime-fighting machine. Now, the heartless criminals who prey upon the elderly and vulnerable are on notice that we will do everything in our power to stop them and seek justice.”

To report a suspected crime against the elderly or vulnerable by calling our EVA Hotline at 786-804-6723.

Following a spike in hate crimes across the nation andSouth Florida, the FBI Miami Field Office held a crucial training initiative, where approximately 200 law enforcement officials from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County gathered for a comprehensive training session on Florida’s Hate Crime Statutes.

State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle addressed the group focusing on the rise of hate crimes rooted in religious beliefs here in our community. Division Chief of the Hate Crimes Unit Justin Funck joined the State Attorney and spoke to attendees about recent changes in legislation and the best practices for recognizing, properly charging, and prosecuting hate crimes.

“Through this training, we’ve deepened our understanding of hate crimes and shared more about the best practices for identifying and prosecuting these criminals. Despite recent upticks in these offenses, we firmly believe that hate of any kind has no place in our society. By working with other leaders and law enforcement agents, we solidify that hate, discrimination, or prejudice will not be tolerated here in South Florida,” stated Katherine Fernandez Rundle.

The 2022 FBI data shows there were over 11,634 hate crime incidents reported nationwide. Of those 59.1% were based on Race/Ethnicity, 17.2% based on Sexual Orientation, and 17.3% based on Religion, a 5% increase from their 2020 report.



Attendees heard from United States Attorney Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe and representatives from the Broward County State Attorney’s Office, including State Attorney Harold Pryor, collectively reaffirming that hate crimes will not be tolerated in our community.

Since 2006, the State Attorney’s Office has been dedicated to breaking barriers associated with past criminal records through our “Second Chance” Seal or Expunge Events. This initiative has played a crucial role in providing individuals with an opportunity to overcome challenges associated with their criminal history. This not only opens doors for better housing, education, and employment opportunities but offers a sense of hope for those seeking a fresh start.

On November 2, 2023, the State Attorney’s Office held the last “Second Chance” Event of 2023 in Homestead, FL. Of the 44 attendees, 22 were eligible to seal or expunge their criminal records.

Since January 2023, the State Attorney’s Office hosted 11 events, strategically reaching residents in South, Central, and North Dade, and assisted over 921 individuals with 617 eligible to seal or expunge one Miami-Dade County arrest.

As we look ahead to 2024, we remain committed to breaking down barriers, fostering opportunities, and building a brighter future for all residents of Miami-Dade County. Join us for our next “Second Chance” Event on Thursday, January 25, 2024, in the City of Sweetwater.

State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle and members of her SAO/CABA Toy Drive Committee attended the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA) Annual Elections, an event that yielded an excellent collection of toy donations from the attendees.

Community Outreach Representatives Angie Fernandez and Luis Martinez hosted our Toy Drive table and were overwhelmed with the generosity of the many lawyers, including some of our own prosecutors, who contributed new and unwrapped toys for our joint SAO/CABA Toy Drive benefiting the children of victims of crime.

Contributions continue to be accepted through December 4, 2023, via the collection boxes in the lobbies of our different SAO office sites. Please help us put a smile on the faces of children who otherwise would not have a present to open during the holidays. Remember the toys must be new and unwrapped.

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