Stephan Sterns was sentenced to multiple life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole in the sexual assault and murder of Madeline Soto, part of a plea deal that avoided two public trials and removed the death penalty as a potential penalty.

Stephan Sterns received 21 life sentences for the murder and sexual abuse of 13-year-old Maddie Soto in Osceola County Court yesterday. He pled no contest to murder and guilty to sexual battery. Lauren Cadilac,

A plea hearing for Stephan Sterns, linked to child sex abuse charges and the murder of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, has been scheduled for Monday. Sources close to the case tell WESH 2 reporter Gail Paschall-Brown that Sterns is pleading guilty to both cases during the plea hearing on Monday.

Stephan Sterns will avoid possible execution after entering a guilty plea to charges of murder and sexual battery.

The plea hearing for Stephan Sterns is scheduled one day before jury selection in his trial is scheduled to begin