Broward County and Courts Reporter

Rafael Olmeda

Rafael Olmeda covers Broward County government as well as 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 on the national board of the Society of Professional Journalists and as president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and UNITY: Journalists of Color.

Escaped Georgia inmates terrorized Lyft driver before arrest in Broward, FBI says

December 24, 2025 at 11:40 a.m.

Three men who kidnapped a ride-share driver after escaping from a Georgia jail were arrested Tuesday in Broward County, according to the FBI.

The Omni Fort Lauderdale hotel, shown on its opening day Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, features 801 guest rooms, including 82 suites. The property also offers seven restaurants, a pool deck overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, and 120,000 square feet of meeting and event space. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

New 801-room Omni Fort Lauderdale, one of Broward’s biggest hotels, opens

December 18, 2025 at 6:49 p.m.

The Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel, the centerpiece of an expansion of the Broward County Convention Center, officially opened its doors to the public.

Steve Rodgers, former director of Plantation Public Works, was found guilty in December 2025 in a public corruption case.

Former Plantation official convicted of misspending public money

December 17, 2025 at 4:42 p.m.

Steve Rodgers, former director of Plantation's public works department, is due in court Thursday to convince a Broward judge to release him after he was convicted in a public corruption...

Irene Lanning Xeniti, left, was reported missing in May 2022. Her husband, Ian Lanning, was convicted Tuesday in her death, even though her body has never been found. (Broward Sheriff’s Office/Courtesy)

Pompano Beach man convicted of murdering and dismembering his wife

December 17, 2025 at 2:29 p.m.

Ian Lanning, 58, was sentenced to life in prison late Tuesday after a jury took just under two hours to find him guilty of the 2022 murder of his wife,...

Broward County Judge Lauren Peffer testifies on Tuesday during her ethics violation hearing at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Broward judge admits lapse in judgment over 2024 campaign

December 16, 2025 at 4:49 p.m.

Broward County Judge Lauren Peffer testified Tuesday at a hearing before a panel of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, accepting responsibility for promoting a discredited tell-all.

Attorney Lien Lafargue, left, reaches out to her client Jason Banegas, who reacts to the jury recommendation of life in prison during his sentencing trial Monday at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. Banegas pleaded guilty in October to the 2021 shooting death of Hollywood Police Officer Yandy Chirino. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Jury rejects death penalty for confessed Hollywood cop killer

December 15, 2025 at 8:34 p.m.

A jury rejected the death penalty for Jason Banegas, who pleaded guilty two months ago to the 2021 murder of Hollywood Police officer Yandy Chirino.

Jamell Demons, known as rapper YNW Melly, appears at a March 7, 2025, hearing at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel file)

Judge sets trial date for next month in YNW Melly witness-tampering case

December 13, 2025 at 10:32 p.m.

Jamell Demons, better known as rapper YNW Melly, will go on trial on Jan. 21, 2026, accused of witness tampering related to his 2023 murder trial, which ended in a...

Law enforcement personnel search for an individual during an ICE operation on Griffin Road in Davie on Wednesday. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

ICE agents, FHP troopers detain drivers throughout Davie

December 10, 2025 at 4:28 p.m.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers and ICE agents were seen stopping and detaining drivers in the Davie area this week, alarming local residents who posted warnings on neighborhood apps and social...

A map showing plans for two new Diplomat towers in Hollywood, one a hotel on parcel D and the other luxury housing on parcel C, are expected to be approved by the Broward County Commission next week. The current beachfront Diplomat Hotel is on parcel A. (Broward County Commission/Courtesy)

Plans progress for high-rises near Diplomat resort in Hollywood; condos and hotel rooms expected

December 10, 2025 at 8:24 a.m.

A revamp is envisioned for Hollywood's beachside Diplomat Landing, with plans for a new tower featuring 500 hotel rooms and 4,000 square feet of retail space.

Jason Banegas, seen here on Dec. 2 for his sentencing trial before Judge Ernest Kollra, pleaded guilty in October to the 2021 shooting death of Hollywood Police Officer Yandy Chirino. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Confessed Hollywood cop killer deserves to live, defense argues

December 8, 2025 at 2:02 p.m.

Confessed Hollyood cop killer Jason Banegas deserves to be punished for what he did, his lawyer told a Broward jury. But the defense wants the 12-member jury to consider a...

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