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A man entered guilty pleas Friday to nine felony counts stemming from a 2012 killing spree in Miami-Dade County that claimed the lives of three family members. Alberto Sierra, now 42, admitted to charges including three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of kidnapping, two counts of abuse of a dead human body, and armed burglary. The victims were identified as Gladys Machado, 29, and her daughters Daniela Padron, 4, and Julia Padron, 8.
The three were found dead at their residence near Northwest 73 Avenue and Fourth Street on November 13, 2012, discovered by a neighbor who had been granted access to the home and detected a foul odor emanating from a bedroom closet. According to authorities, the deaths occurred on November 10, 2012. During the investigation, Detective Rosie Cordero-Stutz, who now serves as Miami-Dade Sheriff, revealed that Sierra used a plastic bag to asphyxiate Machado before committing sexual assault.
Sierra was arrested on November 19, 2012, when he was 28 years old. Prosecutors filed charges the following day, and he initially pleaded not guilty on November 29, 2012. A 6-year-old son who resided in the home was found safe with his grandmother during the investigation.
Presiding Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez has overseen the proceedings in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court. Prosecutors are pursuing capital punishment, with jury selection in the penalty phase scheduled for August 17.
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