In a developing legal case, Stefan Sterns, the accused killer of Maddie Soto, is seeking to suppress critical evidence in his ongoing sexual battery trial. Sterns faces more than 60 counts of sexual battery related to the late Maddie Soto, whose tragic disappearance in February 2024 has garnered significant public and media attention. He is also charged with her murder, a separate case that could result in the death penalty if he is convicted. Sterns has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

At a recent court hearing, Sterns argued that detectives violated his rights by searching his cell phone without a warrant. According to him, he had only consented to limited access so that law enforcement could check his Google Maps. However, police reports indicate that they found over 1,700 images of Sterns allegedly sexually abusing Maddie on his Google Drive, which was linked to his phone.

During the hearing, Sterns testified briefly about his interactions with law enforcement. He acknowledged that police had seized his Samsung Galaxy phone but maintained that they did not have a warrant at the time of the search. He claimed that he had inadvertently factory reset his phone, which erased his call history and other data, a statement that has raised eyebrows among investigators.

Detectives from the CMI Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office had interviewed Sterns on two occasions. Audio recordings of these exchanges reveal that he was cooperative and allowed officers to access his phone, but he insists that he did not consent to a full search. Prosecutors are tasked with proving that the officers acted within the law during the investigation.

Detective Mara Tagler, who was involved in questioning Sterns, explained that the interaction took place in a non-confrontational manner, with Sterns reportedly free to leave at any time. Tagler confirmed that Sterns had provided his phone’s passcode and allowed her to investigate specific areas of the device, such as Google Maps. However, Sterns’ defense team contends that he was under significant stress and had taken medication for anxiety prior to the interviews, which they argue could have affected his capacity to consent fully.

In addition to the legal arguments surrounding the cell phone evidence, detectives highlighted inconsistencies in Sterns’ accounts and movements during the timeline of Maddie’s disappearance. Several key details reportedly did not correlate with their investigative findings, raising further suspicions about Sterns’ involvement.

The judge has yet to rule on Sterns’ motions to suppress the evidence obtained from his phone and Google Drive. The trial for the sexual battery charges, originally scheduled to begin in May, has now been postponed to July, while the murder trial is set for December. As the case unfolds, the legal proceedings will continue to attract public interest and scrutiny, given the serious nature of the charges against Sterns.