A Miami Gardens man will remain behind bars, accused in the Lehigh Acres stabbing death of his former girlfriend, while state prosecutors say they are considering raising the offense to a capital felony.
Leosbey Cuesta de Armas, 31, who was arrested Nov. 9 in Polk County, faces one count of second-degree murder and one count of burglary in the brutal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend. Court documents have not identified the victim and state prosecutors in court on Nov. 24 referred to her as “the victim.”
During a Nov. 24 pretrial detention hearing, Assistant State Attorney Andreas Gardiner said the state is considering elevating the second-degree murder charge to a capital felony, which typically involves convening a grand jury to indict the accused. A grand jury indictment would mean Cuesta de Armas could face the death penalty.
Gardiner called Lee County sheriff’s Detective Ian Rouskey to testify during the pretrial detention hearing. Rouskey said authorities completed several search warrants at the Lehigh Acres home.
Rouskey said the woman and her two children visited a Lehigh Acres home Cuesta de Armas had visited when he dated the woman. A witness who lives at the home said she had known Cuesta de Armas for about five months.
The victim’s children were in bedrooms while the woman and two witnesses put up Christmas decorations in the living room area, Rouskey said.
After several hours, a resident went to get something from the pantry and noticed the door seemed stuck. When she looked through the small opening, she saw Cuesta de Armas.
Rouskey testified that evidence indicates Cuesta de Armas had been inside the home for about two hours before he launched the attack. Security footage from nearby homes showed Cuesta de Armas walking there two hours prior. The probe revealed he was inside the home for about two hours during at least one phone call, Rouskey said.
Cuesta de Armas glared at the resident as he held a knife, ran past the resident and launched an attack on the victim, Rouskey said. When the victim collapsed, Cuesta de Armas got on top of her and continued to stab her.
Once Cuesta de Armas concluded his attack, he ran from the home and to his pickup. Authorities could not find him that evening.
But as soon as Cuesta de Armas saw law enforcement approaching on Nov. 9, he led them on a pursuit through Hardee County into Polk County.
Local authorities, along with Florida Highway Patrol troopers, took Cuesta de Armas into custody after he crashed. Authorities recovered a knife they believe he used. Authorities continue to test the weapon.
Before Lee Circuit Judge Robert Branning sided with Gardiner and ordered Cuesta de Armas to remain in custody without bond, counsel asked for release conditions, reasonable bond and a GPS monitor.
Cuesta de Armas was remanded into the Lee County Jail on Nov. 19, jail logs show. His arraignment is Dec. 22.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@usatodayco.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Miami Gardens man remains jailed in Lehigh Acres stabbing death
Reporting by Tomas Rodriguez, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
