Evelyn Fernandez, a retired Miami-Dade Police lieutenant, was sentenced to seven years in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to a dramatic 2023 incident involving her ex-boyfriend.
Fernandez, 44, appeared in court to accept a plea deal on charges including attempted murder, discharging a firearm, and aggravated stalking. The incident unfolded on October 27, 2023, when Fernandez allegedly opened fire at her former partner, who is also a former law enforcement officer. Although she missed him and instead hit his car, the situation escalated into a 14-hour police standoff after Fernandez barricaded herself in a home.
Under the plea agreement negotiated by the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, Fernandez will serve seven years in prison with credit for time already served, followed by 20 years of probation. Prosecutors waived the 20-year minimum mandatory sentence she originally faced; however, if she violates probation, she could face up to life in prison.
The deal also requires Fernandez to complete a treatment program and maintain ongoing care with a licensed psychologist, including any prescribed medication. She must surrender all firearms and maintain a strict stay-away order from her ex-boyfriend and his children. Prosecutors confirmed that the victim approved the terms of the agreement.
Fernandez’s daughter, Kristina Fernandez, expressed heartbreak over the sentencing but acknowledged the complexity of the situation. “I believe there are three stories to everything: one side, the other side, and the truth,” she told NBC6, adding that she was not present during the incident and cannot comment on the details.
According to police reports, Fernandez had been stalking her ex-boyfriend on multiple occasions following the end of their year-and-a-half relationship. The violent confrontation in October marked a troubling escalation.
Fernandez’s legal troubles date back to 2016, when she was arrested and charged with burglary of an unoccupied structure and criminal mischief related to an incident involving then-boyfriend Carlos Alvarez, former Miami-Dade County Mayor. Those charges were dismissed two months later.
The case highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement personnel in their personal lives and underscores the serious consequences of domestic disputes that escalate to violence.
