Courts Reporter
Rafael Olmeda
Rafael Olmeda covers Broward criminal and civil courts for the Sun Sentinel. A graduate of Baruch College of the City University of New York, he worked for six years at the New York Daily News before joining the Sun Sentinel in 1999. He has served as president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and UNITY: Journalists of Color.
All Stories
![Terry Berger-Smith was just 14 years old when, according to investigators, he stalked a woman on her way to work and raped her, livestreaming his crime on the internet within walking distance of the headquarters of the Hollywood Police Department. Now he's 17 and about to find out how much of his life will be spent in prison. Terry Berger-Smith was just 14 years old when, according to investigators, he stalked a woman on her way to work and raped her, livestreaming his crime on the internet within walking distance of the headquarters of the Hollywood Police Department. Now he's 17 and about to find out how much of his life will be spent in prison.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2022/08/12/YG5K2TO7KVEIRPFQ2BPYVQJETQ.jpg?w=135)
Teenage Hollywood rapist pleads no contest, faces lengthy prison term
Terry Berger-Smith was just 14 years old when, according to investigators, he stalked a woman on her way to work and raped her, livestreaming his crime on the internet within...
![A prosecutor told jurors Wednesday that Sherry Palmer, 63, died on April 13, 2018, a conclusion drawn not from expert medical testimony but from a handy piece of technology — the smartwatch on the victim's wrist that showed exactly when her heart stopped beating. A prosecutor told jurors Wednesday that Sherry Palmer, 63, died on April 13, 2018, a conclusion drawn not from expert medical testimony but from a handy piece of technology — the smartwatch on the victim's wrist that showed exactly when her heart stopped beating.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/tfl-l-patrick-palmer-closing-03.jpg?w=117)
Husband accused of killing owner of Pompano bar. Jury now weighing the case
A prosecutor told jurors Wednesday that Sherry Palmer, 63, died on April 13, 2018, a conclusion drawn not from expert medical testimony but from a handy piece of technology —...
![A Coral Springs woman who was convicted in June of second-degree murder in the shooting death of her friend after a night out was sentenced this week to life in prison. A Coral Springs woman who was convicted in June of second-degree murder in the shooting death of her friend after a night out was sentenced this week to life in prison.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Tfl-l-yvonne-serrano-trial-closings3.jpg?w=134)
Coral Springs woman sentenced to life for murder of workout pal
A Coral Springs woman who was convicted in June of second-degree murder in the shooting death of her friend after a night out was sentenced this week to life in...
![Sunshine State Sonar, a team of volunteer divers known for solving missing persons cases across Florida, visited Broward County over the last few weeks to search for the remains of a missing mother and child, inadvertently locating two other cars owned by people missing from the area for years. Sunshine State Sonar, a team of volunteer divers known for solving missing persons cases across Florida, visited Broward County over the last few weeks to search for the remains of a missing mother and child, inadvertently locating two other cars owned by people missing from the area for years.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/dive.png?w=140)
Dive team looking for mother, child also find sunken cars with remains of 2 long-missing Broward men
Sunshine State Sonar, a team of volunteer divers known for solving missing persons cases across Florida, visited Broward County over the last few weeks to search for the remains of...
![A former Broward Sheriff's deputy accused of illegally leaking video of the 2017 Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport mass shooting to the website TMZ pleaded no contest to charges of tampering with physical evidence and disclosure of confidential information. A former Broward Sheriff's deputy accused of illegally leaking video of the 2017 Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport mass shooting to the website TMZ pleaded no contest to charges of tampering with physical evidence and disclosure of confidential information.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2018/01/12/O2KQB4NKIJE6ZGCUEV2XZ7AZKQ.jpg?w=135)
Former deputy pleads no contest to leaking Fort Lauderdale airport shooting video to TMZ
A former Broward Sheriff's deputy accused of illegally leaking video of the 2017 Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport mass shooting to the website TMZ pleaded no contest to charges of tampering...
![Looks like Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill will have plenty of time to prepare his defense against a woman accusing him of breaking her leg during what should have been a playful scrimmage at his Southwest Ranches home last year. Looks like Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill will have plenty of time to prepare his defense against a woman accusing him of breaking her leg during what should have been a playful scrimmage at his Southwest Ranches home last year.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/tfl-z-Dolphins-Camp-Football_200361638.jpg?w=132)
Judge sets late 2025 trial date in Tyreek Hill civil injury case
Looks like Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill will have plenty of time to prepare his defense against a woman accusing him of breaking her leg during what should have...
![First there was a carjacking after allegations of a sexual encounter. Then a high-speed chase on Interstate 95 through Broward County, ending in a fatal crash. A group of suspects, including several teens, were arrested. Now, the alleged driver wants to be bailed out. First there was a carjacking after allegations of a sexual encounter. Then a high-speed chase on Interstate 95 through Broward County, ending in a fatal crash. A group of suspects, including several teens, were arrested. Now, the alleged driver wants to be bailed out.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2015/12/15/FTSWXXUMJFBV3J4AYIKCGRVBKE.jpg?w=135)
Broward teens face prison in case involving a carjacking, a high-speed chase, a fatal crash and sexual allegations
First there was a carjacking after allegations of a sexual encounter. Then a high-speed chase on Interstate 95 through Broward County, ending in a fatal crash. A group of suspects,...
![A Greenacres man who left three voicemail messages threatening U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, a vocal opponent of former President Donald Trump, was sentenced this week to two years in prison. A Greenacres man who left three voicemail messages threatening U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, a vocal opponent of former President Donald Trump, was sentenced this week to two years in prison.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2019/07/08/4OUENSZ5WJCI3MFJUOCEXV6JHQ.jpg?w=135)
South Florida man gets 2-year prison sentence for threatening anti-Trump congressman
A Greenacres man who left three voicemail messages threatening U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, a vocal opponent of former President Donald Trump, was sentenced this week to two years in prison.
![A man whose son owns a Miramar used car dealership is facing more than 12 years in prison after he tried to repossess a car for non-payment. The Aventura man had a handgun tucked in his waistband when he followed the car buyer to repossess a 2020 Honda after the owner's first two payments bounced. A man whose son owns a Miramar used car dealership is facing more than 12 years in prison after he tried to repossess a car for non-payment. The Aventura man had a handgun tucked in his waistband when he followed the car buyer to repossess a 2020 Honda after the owner's first two payments bounced.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AFP-Getty-gavel-1.jpg?w=140)
Miramar car dealer’s dad faces federal armed carjacking charge for repossessing a vehicle
A man whose son owns a Miramar used car dealership is facing more than 12 years in prison after he tried to repossess a car for non-payment. The Aventura man...
![Daniel Doyle, a convicted killer sentenced to death more than 40 years ago for murdering his cousin as well as a 13-year-old girl, has been quietly taken off death row and is now serving a life sentence. Daniel Doyle, a convicted killer sentenced to death more than 40 years ago for murdering his cousin as well as a 13-year-old girl, has been quietly taken off death row and is now serving a life sentence.](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/tfl-l-daniel-doyle.jpg?w=114)
Broward convicted killer re-sentenced to life after decades on death row
Daniel Doyle, a convicted killer sentenced to death more than 40 years ago for murdering his cousin as well as a 13-year-old girl, has been quietly taken off death row...