Florida Judge Dies Days After Releasing Cuban Plane Hijacker

Florida federal judge John E. Steele died suddenly at 77, just days after he ordered the release of a Cuban plane hijacker. Steele’s July 8 ruling freed Maikel Guerra Morales, who hijacked a Cuban commuter plane in 2003 and served over 20 years in prison. ICE had taken him into custody in December 2025 while seeking to deport him. Rep. Greg Steube filed articles of impeachment against Steele, accusing him of judicial overreach and high crimes. In his decision, the judge cited a Supreme Court precedent limiting indefinite detention when removal is unlikely.

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