Bird-Flipping Teen Appears In Drug Court
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A teen who was sentenced to 30 days in jail after she flipped the bird to a Miami-Dade judge during a bond court hearing was back in court Wednesday.
Penelope Soto who is charged with 26 counts of possession of a controlled substance (Xanax), appeared in drug court.
Unlike her bond court appearance earlier this week, Soto was nervous and sullen as she answered the judge's questions in a voice just above a whisper. Soto told the judge she's 18-years old and has no prior arrests.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jeffrey Rosinek agreed to her pre-trial release only after she served, or was released from, her contempt charge.
Soto was arrested after police went to check on reports of a female down at SW 96th Street and SW 142nd Avenue. When talking with the officer, Soto reportedly blurted out "I'm on Xanax bars and I have more in my purse,"
During her appearance in bond court on Monday, Soto began laughing when the judge asked if she was under the influence; she stroked her hair repeatedly and replied, "Actually, no."
The judge ordered Soto held on $5,000 bond and as she walked away said, "Adios" in a mocking manner.
The bond court judge asked Soto to come back and decided to increase her bond to $10,000. At that point, Soto stopped laughing and flipped off the judge and said he could 'go *expletive* himself' as she walked away.
The judge asked her to come back again and asked her, "Did you tell me to *expletive* off?"
Soto replied, "Yes sir," and the judge ordered her held in contempt of court and to be held for 30 days in the county jail.
Watch the entire bond court appearance here:
