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A South Florida judge has cleared three more police officers of wrongdoing in the 2019 shooting death of a UPS driver who had been taken hostage during a robbery. The judge ruled that the officers’ actions were justified under Florida’s ‘stand your ground’ law, a decision that the state attorney’s office plans to appeal.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing debate around the use of deadly force by police, particularly in situations involving hostages or bystanders. The ‘stand your ground’ law has been controversial, with critics arguing it can be used to justify unjustified killings.
The details
Broward Circuit Judge Ernest Kollra ruled that Miami-Dade police officers Richard Santiesteban, Leslie Lee and Rodolfo Mirabal could not be prosecuted for manslaughter in the death of UPS driver Frank Ordonez. The same judge had previously cleared a fourth officer, Jose Mateo, for the same reason. Prosecutors said Mateo fired the shots that killed Ordonez, who had been taken hostage by two would-be jewelry store robbers. A passerby, Richard Cutshaw, was also killed in the barrage of gunfire.
On December 5, 2019, Ordonez was delivering packages in Miami-Dade County when he was abducted by two robbery suspects.A police chase ended in Broward County, where the deadly shootout occurred.On Monday, March 24, 2026, the judge issued his rulings clearing the three additional officers.
The players
Ernest Kollra
Broward Circuit Judge who ruled the officers’ actions were justified under Florida’s ‘stand your ground’ law.
Richard Santiesteban
Miami-Dade police officer cleared of wrongdoing in the shooting death of Frank Ordonez.
Leslie Lee
Miami-Dade police officer cleared of wrongdoing in the shooting death of Frank Ordonez.
Rodolfo Mirabal
Miami-Dade police officer cleared of wrongdoing in the shooting death of Frank Ordonez.
Frank Ordonez
The 27-year-old UPS driver who was taken hostage and killed during the police shootout.
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What they’re saying
“Immunity from prosecution is not the same as a defense presented to a jury from this community. It is our belief that Stand Your Ground immunity does not apply in matters involving innocent bystanders, like Frank Ordonez and Richard Cutshaw, who presented no danger to officers.”
— Broward State Attorney’s Office
What’s next
The Broward State Attorney’s Office said it will appeal all four rulings clearing the officers of wrongdoing.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing debate around the use of deadly force by police, particularly in situations involving hostages or bystanders. The ‘stand your ground’ law has been controversial, with critics arguing it can be used to justify unjustified killings, and the state attorney’s office plans to appeal the judge’s rulings.