Chapter 7 - The Plea Bargain
Two months later, the formal sentencing hearing took place at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Columbus.
I sat in the front row of the victim gallery alongside Mateo, wearing a crisp charcoal suit. My posture was straight, my eyes calm and clear. I didn't hide my face, nor did I look away when the side doors opened and three guards led my biological family into the courtroom.
Arturo, Valyria, and Camila were dressed in dark blue federal inmate uniforms, their wrists and ankles bound by steel chains that clinked softly against the carpeted floor.
Without their expensive clothes, hair styling, and arrogant posturing, they looked small, withered, and defeated.
Valyria’s hair was streaked with gray, her eyes sunken and hollow. Camila kept her head bowed completely, weeping silently into her chest, while Arturo stared blankly at the defense table.
The presiding judge, Honorable Justice Sarah Montgomery, brought her wooden gavel down with a sharp BANG.
"Court is in session for the sentencing of Arturo Sterling, Valyria Sterling, and Camila Sterling," Justice Montgomery announced, her stern gaze sweeping over the defense table. "The court has reviewed the joint plea agreements submitted by the prosecution and defense counsel."
The lead federal prosecutor stood up, reading a brief summary of the case:
"Your Honor, the defendants operated a sophisticated, multi-year financial fraud scheme that stolen millions from innocent investors. Furthermore, when faced with exposure, they executed a violent, coordinated attempt to extort sixty million dollars from their heavily pregnant daughter, resulting in severe physical injuries and an emergency premature delivery."
Justice Montgomery set the paper down, looking directly over her glasses at my mother.
"Mrs. Valyria Sterling," the judge said, her voice dripping with moral disapproval. "In my twenty-five years on the federal bench, I have rarely encountered an act of familial cruelty as abhorrent as yours. You threw boiling liquid at your eight-month-pregnant daughter while she held a tray to protect her child. You chose greed over human life."
Valyria opened her mouth to speak, but her public defender gently placed a hand on her arm, shaking his head.
"Under the ratified terms of this plea agreement," Justice Montgomery declared, bringing her gavel down hard:
"Valyria Sterling is sentenced to eighteen years in a federal correctional facility without the possibility of parole."
"Arturo Sterling is sentenced to fourteen years in federal custody."
"Camila Sterling, for her secondary role and cooperation with federal authorities, is sentenced to six years in federal custody."
"Furthermore, full civil restitution in the amount of four point two million dollars is ordered to be seized from all remaining Sterling corporate assets and returned to the victims of their financial fraud."
BANG.
"Court is adjourned."
As the federal marshals stepped forward to lead the three of them out through the side holding door, Valyria suddenly turned her head toward the gallery. Her eyes locked onto mine, filled with tears of pure, desperate regret.
"Kaylee... please!" Valyria choked out, her voice echoing in the quiet courtroom. "Forgive me... please..."
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I looked at her calmly, my face an unreadable mask of stone. I didn't shout, I didn't gesture, and I didn't offer a single word of comfort.
I simply reached over, wrapped my hand around Mateo's fingers, and turned my back as the iron door clicked shut behind them.
