Federal Judge John E. Steele, 77, died suddenly just days after he controversially ordered the release of a Cuban plane hijacker who was awaiting deportation. A legal source in Miami confirmed Steele’s sudden death, though the circumstances were not immediately clear. Steele was facing impeachment proceedings over his controversial ruling.
Controversial Ruling Sparks Outrage
Steele came under intense criticism for his July 8 ruling to release Cuban plane hijacker Maikel Guerra Morales from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. Guerra Morales had hijacked a Cuban commuter plane in 2003, forcing the crew to land at Key West International Airport. He spent more than 20 years in prison for aircraft piracy and conspiracy to interfere with a flight crew.
ICE took him into custody in December 2025 with the intention of deporting him to Mexico. However, after more than six months in detention, Steele ordered his release under supervision, meaning agents must attempt to monitor him before deportation can proceed.
Impeachment Filed Against Judge
On Wednesday, Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) filed an article of impeachment against Steele. The House Resolution accused the judge of committing “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
“This is exactly the kind of activist judicial overreach the American people are sick of,” Steube told Fox News. “Judge Steele had every legal justification to keep a convicted plane hijacker off our streets, and he chose to let him go instead.”
Legal Basis for Release
In his decision, Steele cited a landmark Supreme Court ruling regarding the detention of foreign nationals whose removal cannot be carried out. The ruling noted that ICE had not been able to deport Guerra Morales to Cuba because of an anti-torture convention and had provided no evidence that it had communicated with Mexico about sending him there.
Steele stated that Guerra Morales had to be released because his “detention exceeds six months and there is no significant likelihood of removal in the reasonably foreseeable future.” The order further argued, “The Government cannot lock individuals in a cell indefinitely as a workaround for a stalled deportation process.”
Death and Aftermath
Steele’s sudden death has raised questions, though no official cause has been released. The impeachment proceedings are now likely to be affected by his passing. The case has drawn national attention to the balance between immigration enforcement and judicial oversight.
