The full story of what had happened:
Tiffany was a victim of the system from a very early age. When she was 16 she gave birth to a little boy, Trent. No one cared except one man who had sex with her among other boys a man who realized that mistakes had been made and he accepted the responsibility of this from early pregnancy. He took Tiffany to the doctor for checkups, he was at the hospital for the birth, he cut the umbilical cord. He put his name on the birth certificate without any proof at the time that he was the father. He was helping and cared for the boy up to the time the little boy, Trent, was injured and taken to the hospital. The doctors found that Trent had a concussion but he was in no danger. They didn't know how the injury happened and they reported the incident to the authorities. An investigation was started and some of those who had responsibility for Trent were required to take a lie detector test which meant the mother and father of Trent, and Trent's grandmother on the father's side were tested. But not Tiffany's mother or her boyfriend. Why weren't they tested its unknown to us as Trent and Tiffany lived with them. The investigation didn't bring any results and then it turned toward investigating the mother and the alleged father. With the assumptions that he was the biological father and that he had sex with a minor. Steven was charged and arrested. Steven was twenty-three years old at the time, working full time, attending college at night and attempting to start up his own business. He was arrested on the charges of having sex with a minor. The state's attorney offered Steven a plea bargain to plead guilty on the charge and accepting up to a ten year prison sentence. If he did not accept her plea bargain, she would add another charge of impregnating a minor to the original charge of having sex with a minor. He refused to accept the plea bargain and was charged on both counts. And again without any proof they assumed he was the father of the child and that they had a sex. He was subsequently released on bail, awaiting trial and during this period he and Tiffany were married and later forbidden by the court to see each other afterwards even though they were legally husband and wife. After several continuances of the hearings that now took close to 6 months, at his attorney's suggestion he relinquished his right to a trial by entering a plea agreement of no contest in return for a sentence of probable probation. At the last hearing prior to sentencing the Judge advised him that punishment may be up to twenty years prison time. In further conversation with the presiding Judge and his attorney, Steven concluded that he would get ten to twenty years and no probation offered. Steven panicked as probation wasn't even an option which was contrary to what he was told initially when he entered his plea agreement. Two days prior to the sentencing hearing he met his attorney, Richard E Gitlen, who casually stated: "I thought you would be gone by now!" Steven realized that he had been duped by his lawyer and the only choice left to him with only two days to his sentencing court date was to flee the country. He found work in Austria with his uncle. Steven was sending 200-400 Euros per month for child support. After eight months he paid for Tiffany to come visit him in Europe hoping she would bring their child with her, but she couldn't and so she just came by herself. Shortly after this visit Steven decided that he would return to the States, obtain a lawyer to face the legal consequences imposed by a judicial system he believed so much in, so he could start his life over again with his wife and child. It should be mentioned here that he could also have stayed in Europe where his father lives and not be subject to extradition by the United States, as he has dual citizenship. However he chose to return. He was arrested as he entered the U.S. at JFK and awaited extradition to Florida on the original charges plus an additional flight from justice charge. Again, it took numerous continuances after his extradition to Florida to get his sentencing hearing which took another year, contrary to his constitutional rights as per the VI Amendment. This whole ordeal took a tremendous toll not only on Steven, but his whole family who supported him, believing that justice would prevail in this case and that Steven would be free with time served and possible probation. But, no, justice did not have enough time or understanding to see what actually occurred in this case. THE JUDGE DID NOT DO HIS HOMEWORK IN THIS CASE AND OBVIOUSLY JUST FOLLOWED THE PROSECUTION'S VICIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS. The prosecutor in the court room tried very hard to discredit Steven. She accused him of lying about having relatives in Europe and forced him to provide proof. His father had to send a copy of his Croatian ID card and passport, all irrelevant to the case. They knew Steven was telling the truth from the beginning to the end. They just wanted something on him to justify maximum sentencing. How many prisoners have been victimized with maximum or near maximum sentencing just for a prosecutor's career ambition to be furthered, mostly to become judges? They rack up convictions like scalps on an Indian's belt just to secure their career goals. The prosecutor in this case, Kathy Roberts of Martin County, has achieved her crowning goal and became judge shortly after Steven's conviction. Steven would suffer dearly as a result given a sixteen year prison sentence for having consensual sex ( as Tiffany testified in court ) with 15 year old a girl who was sexually active from her beginning teens, had sex with multiple, older partners (over 21) prior to her involvement with Steven. Where were Child Protective Services as well as the Juvenile Justice system? Where were her parents? We later found out that Tiffany has no school records since she was 12 as she dropped out and no one know about it. Or they just didn't want to know about it? They only prosecute what is served to them on a silver platter as in this case. Millions of other teen pregnancies go unquestioned by the authorities every year, does anyone ever investigate the age of the fathers involved? Fifty percent of them ( fact ) were over 21. Are thus fathers serving 16 year prison sentences? Isn't that selective enforcement of the law? Steven's family and friends from the U.S. and abroad, who lived with Steven and know him wrote numerous letters to the judge on Steven's behalf citing his character and giving nature and his value of family. Given the facts that at the time of sentencing on Jan. 09 2007 Steven was 27, Tiffany 20 and Trent was 4 years old and that Tiffany and Steven are married and are a family unit, how can the judge pass a sentence on Steven of 16 years. Here is what Judge Shack said: " I certainly hope this was worth it for you because it has destroyed your life, this young lady's life and caused permanent damage to your son." Now who really caused the "permanent damage" to Steven, Tiffany and Trent? The presiding judge, that's who. Giving 16 years prison sentence to a man who had consensual relations with an almost 16 year old but not hearing witnesses or acknowledging what they have said about circumstances that surround this incident is preposterous. This is an excellent example of the State calling its own violence "law", but that of the individual "crime". The Judge must have been sleeping on the bench if he didn't hear what Steven has done for Tiffany and his son from early pregnancy. She was victimized long before Steven arrived in her life and not as portrayed by Judge Larry Schack. Steven in fact was a positive influence in her life. He encouraged her to get her life back on track and when she was with him she was on her way to a normal life. This all came crashing down once the state got into it. Does Judge Schack have any idea where and how Tiffany is today? (She is in jail, judge, she is back where she was before Steven, on the street. Her parents don't care they never did.) Yes, most certainly, Judge Schack's decision and sentencing is destroying Steven's life, his marriage, his child's relationship with him. How has justice been served in this situation when everything around this case lies in tatters, lives ruined and torn apart. Prior to the legal system entering this picture, Steven, Tiffany and Trent stood a good chance of making it as a couple and a family. This man went through hell the past 4 years and has already served 2 1/2 years in jail. (4 1/2 as of today) After all, he is not just a number in the penal system. To us he is a husband, a father of a 4 year old, (now 6) a brother and son. He will be the first to admit that he made a mistake and he did everything in his power to try and make things right afterwards. We realize that the penal system was setup to be punitive in nature and not remedial. But 16 years sentence is extremely excessive for the nature of the offense committed. The disparity of treatment in other, similar cases as compared to the sixteen year sentence that Steven received is blatant and very obvious. How can this be explained with any cohesiveness and reason? How can some people "walk" and some serve a good part of their lives behind bars? Why is the judicial system not accountable for such disparity of sentencing and why isn't there more transparency in the system? Can someone explain that to us, never mind his 4 year old son, Trent who is actually 6 1/2 today.

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16 year sentence. Can someone explain that to us, never mind his 4 year old son, Trent.

                        Trent

The state calls its own violence law, but that of the individual crime.

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The state calls its own violence law, but that of the individual crime.  The State of Florida is a creator of social problems, Tiffany for example, having drug and alcohol problems, she can't take care of their child. The State of Florida ironically gave custody of Trent to her mother who couldn't even take care of Tiffany properly. Now she gets a chance to ruin another innocent life and have it sanctioned by the court! Soon we'll have a second social problem, Trent. And at the end, Steven. He worked hard full time, attended college at night and was attempting to start up his own business and was taken away from all this. He will be 41 years old when he gets out of prison. No education, no work experience with the label of pedophile on his forehead that he will have to carry for the rest of his life. What will happen to him? Probably another social problem because it is a good chance that he will not be able to get a job. His parents, will be elderly or dead and not around any longer to help him. Changes in sentencing law and policy, not increases in crime rates, explain most of the six-fold increase in the national prison population. And “one size fits all" mandatory minimum sentences that allow little or no consideration for individual characteristics as in case above.Is that how we solving a problems. Is that right thing to do? All the wrong choices. How can we be the leader to the world if we are becoming a laughing stock of the world. We need to take a good look at the our own back yard our own living room our kids room. They are watching Nip/Tuck for breakfast, lunch and diner, the most sexual TV series I have ever watched on TV. And then we are sending them to 16 years in prison for having consensual sex? THE UNITED STATES IS A NATION OF LAWS BADLY WRITTEN AND RANDOMLY ENFORCED. Privately run prisons in the state of Florida underline corruption on all levels. And that is where Your and my tax dollars go to.

 And that's the way it was and still is.
 

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The State of Florida is a creator of social problems,  Tiffany for example, having her own problems,  she can't take care of  their child by herself she needs help from her parents who are presently taking care of their son.     And at the end Steven?  He worked hard full time, attend college at night and was attempting to start up his own business was taken away from all this. Hi will be 41 years old when he'll get out of prison. No education, no work experience. Label of pedophile on his forehead that will have to carry for life. What will happen to him? Probably another social problem because it is a good  chance that he will not be able to get  a job.  His parents  probably not going to be around anymore to guide him or help him.
Changes in sentencing law and policy, not increases in crime rates, explain most of the six-fold increase in the national prison population.  And “one size fits all" mandatory minimum sentences that allow little or no consideration for individual characteristics as in case above.

Is that how we solving a problems. Is that right thing to do?  All the wrong choices. How can we be the leader to the world if we are becoming a laughing stock of the world.

We need to take a good look at the our own back yard our own living room our kids room. What do they see and read on the internet? They are watching nip/tuck for breakfast, lunch and diner. The most sexual TV series I have ever watch on TV. And then we are sending them to 16 years in prison for having consensual sex? 

State Department also have the nerve to send out complaints every year to 180 nations abut human rights violation?  Mr. President, House of Representatives, Senators, the People of The United States,  take a good look in to our prisons and you will never again complain about human right violations.

An 8-year-old boy from Arizona has been charged with the premeditated murder of his father  and his friend.  Police are pushing to have the boy tried as an adult even as they investigate possible abuse.  Since when an 8 year old can premeditate murder?  And then be tried as an adult,  but 15 year old can't consent to have sex?  How sad!

 

Changes in sentencing law and policy, not increases in crime rates, explain most of the six-fold increase in the national prison population.  And “one size fits all" mandatory minimum sentences that allow little or no consideration for individual characteristics as in case above.

It is a fact that 70-80% of US prisoners within one year are back in prison. In Europe for example the number is reversed, 80% of them get job and become normal law abiding citizens. Why is that?  And why is crime rate in Europe 3 times les per capita. And crime within the prisons is almost non existing. Prisoners are treated as a human beings, in some countries like in Croatia prisoners even those who serving 10-15 years sentence for murder, go home for vacation or weekends. Unbelievable! That is what I said, but it is true. I'm not saying we should do the same, but give them some dignity something to look forward when they get out.  Prisoners in Europe work in every prison, making furniture, sheet metal work, welding, farming etc. with other words they are productive. They learn new skills, develop working habit.

 What comes out of US prisons? Vast majority come out as poorly educated criminals, street fighters, drug traffickers and even murderers and they are back in prison within 6 to 8 months.