Orlando Teen’s Killer Gets 4-Year Sentence; Family Calls It ‘a Joke’ as State Attorney Faces Backlash

The family of a Central Florida teenager killed in 2024 says justice failed after the man convicted in the case received a four-year prison sentence, sparking a political dispute between state officials.

A judge sentenced Marcus Anderson to four years in prison for fatally shooting 17-year-old Gabriel Cortez. The sentence has drawn anger from Cortez’s relatives, who said they expected a much harsher punishment in a state known for strict laws on violent crime.

"No time is good enough when someone kills your child," said Virginia Hermidas, Cortez's aunt. "Four years is a joke."

Cortez said the outcome left the family shocked and heartbroken. She said they were told Anderson could have faced life in prison before prosecutors reduced the charges.

"I thought here in Florida it’s strict. I never would have imagined this would happen. He was looking at life from what I was told," said Cortez. "How do you go from life to four years?" That doesn’t make sense, and it’s unfair," she added.

Cortez also said she hopes no other family faces the same pain and lack of closure.

"I would never want another parent to go through what I’m going through right now, but I would want another parent to get justice," said Cortez. "I wouldn’t want the killer of their child to only get four years."

Anderson became eligible for the shorter sentence under Florida’s Youthful Offender Act. It limits prison terms to six years for offenders under 21.

The case has also triggered a public clash between State Attorney Monique Worrell and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. Each side is blaming the other for how the case was handled and why Anderson became eligible for a reduced sentence.

James Uthmeier said, "State Attorney Monique Worrell is giving violent criminals and murderers, who have no business being in our community, youthful offender status."

Worrell defended the plea deal by pointing to Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law.

"My prosecutor’s sole mission is to apply the law fairly and justly in every single case," Worrel said. "That impacted the outcome in that case."

Worrell also argued that lawmakers in Tallahassee should change state law if they want tougher penalties for young offenders charged with violent crimes.