Woman gets 30 days for giving the finger to judge

MIAMI — A woman facing a drug possession charge was sentenced to 30 days in jail for flipping the bird to a Miami-Dade judge.

Penelope Soto, 18, appeared in court on video after her arrest for possession of Xanax. In front of Circuit Judge Jorge Rodriguez-Chomat on Monday, she was asked about her assets.

Soto appeared as if the hearing was a big joke and laughed off the judge’s questions, blurted out “Adios” and then gave him the finger.

The judge, feeling disrespected, demanded she return to the podium and then sentenced her to 30 days in jail for contempt of court.

The hearing began when Soto, sporting an orange jail jumpsuit, laughed when she was asked how much her jewelry was worth.

“It’s not a joke, you know, we’re not in a club now,” Rodriguez-Chomat told her. “We are not in a club. Be serious about it.”

“I’m serious about it. You just made me laugh,” Soto replied. “You just made me laugh. I apologize. It’s worth a lot of money.”

“Like what?” the judge asked.

“Like Rick Ross. It’s worth money,” she said.

The judge, not understanding the reference to the rapper who made news last week when his car was fired at in Fort Lauderdale, asked Soto if she had taken drugs in the past 24 hours.

“Actually, no,” she replied.

Rodriguez-Chomat set her bond at $5,000 and said “bye, bye,” and Soto laughed and replied “Adios.”

Rodriguez-Chomat called her back and upped her bond to $10,000.

“Are you serious?” she asked.

“I am serious. Adios,” he replied.

When she walked away, she flipped the bird and told him to “f—-” himself. She was summoned back again and sentenced.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Boeing firefighters union members and supporters hold an informational picket at Airport Road and Kasch Park Road on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Biden weighs in on Boeing lockout of firefighters in Everett, elsewhere

On Thursday, the president expressed support for the firefighters, saying he was “concerned” Boeing had locked them out over the weekend.

Everett officer Curtis Bafus answers an elderly woman’s phone. (Screen shot from @dawid.outdoor's TikTok video)
Everett officer catches phone scammer in the act, goes viral on TikTok

Everett Police Chief John DeRousse said it was unclear when the video with 1.5 million views was taken, saying it could be “years old.”

Construction occurs at 16104 Cascadian Way in Bothell, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
What Snohomish County ZIP codes have seen biggest jumps in home value?

Mill Creek, for one. As interest rates remain high and supplies are low, buyers could have trouble in today’s housing market.

A person takes photos of the aurora borealis from their deck near Howarth Park on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County residents marvel at dazzling views of northern lights

Chances are good that the aurora borealis could return for a repeat performance Saturday night.

Arlington
Motorcyclist dies, another injured in two-vehicle crash in Arlington

Detectives closed a section of 252nd St NE during the investigation Friday.

Convicted sex offender Michell Gaff is escorted into court. This photo originally appeared in The Everett Daily Herald on Aug. 15, 2000. (Justin Best / The Herald file)
The many faces of Mitchell Gaff, suspect in 1984 Everett cold case

After an unfathomable spree of sexual violence, court papers reveal Gaff’s efforts to leave those horrors behind him, in his own words.

Retired Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Anita Farris smiles as she speaks to a large crowd during the swearing-in of her replacement on the bench, Judge Whitney M. Rivera, on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
One of state’s most senior judges retires from Snohomish County bench

“When I was interviewed, it was like, ‘Do you think you can work up here with all the men?’” Judge Anita Farris recalled.

A truck drives west along Casino Road past a new speed camera set up near Horizon Elementary on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
After traffic cameras went in, Everett saw 70% decrease in speeding

Everett sent out over 2,000 warnings from speed cameras near Horizon Elementary in a month. Fittingly, more cameras are on the horizon.

The Monroe Correctional Complex on Friday, June 4, 2021 in Monroe, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Trans inmate says Monroe prison staff retaliated over safety concerns

Jennifer Jaylee, 48, claims after she reported her fears, she was falsely accused of a crime, then transferred to Eastern Washington.

Inside John Wightman’s room at Providence Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 in Everett Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
In Everett hospital limbo: ‘You’re left in the dark, unless you scream’

John Wightman wants to walk again. Rehab facilities denied him. On any given day at Providence, up to 100 people are stuck in hospital beds.

A person turns in their ballot at a ballot box located near the Edmonds Library in Edmonds, Washington on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
As filing closes, 6 election races to watch in Snohomish County

Redistricting, party switches, repeat candidates and interparty challenges are all on the table this election season.

Firefighters extinguish an apartment fire off Edmonds Way on Thursday May 9, 2024. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
7 displaced in Edmonds Way apartment fire

A cause of the fire had not been determined as of Friday morning, fire officials said.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.