CCSO
- Name: STEPANOVICH, ALEKSANDAR CURLE
- Charge: BATTERY - ON LEO OR FIREFIGHTER EMT ETC, RESIST OFFICER WITH VIOLENCE, AIDING PRISONER ESCAPE
- Residence: SPRINGFIELD, VA
- Age: 39
- Occupation: No info found.
- Case #: Not yet available
A 39-year-old Naples man who police said was wanted for murder in Serbia is not actually an international fugitive, according to court documents obtained by the Daily News on Thursday.
After Aleksandar Stepanovich was arrested in an unrelated battery case last week, Naples officers said they ran a routine background check and found he was named on a murder warrant from Interpol, an international police organization. But documents from the Higher Court in Belgrade, Serbia, show the charge was dismissed April 19 "due to the abandonment of further prosecution."
Stepanovich's wife, Monika Mozolicova said she and her husband received the Serbian paperwork and English translations in the mail Wednesday.
"He is not a murderer," Mozolicova said. "We are nice, normal people."
On May 17, the morning Stepanovich was accused of kicking a Naples police officer in the face, his Serbian defense attorney was already at his apartment, both men excited about the newly dismissed murder charge, said Nico Vitale, a lawyer who represents Stepanovich in Naples.
The two gathered with Mozolicova and at least four other relatives and friends at Stepanovich's Bayfront condominium, where a neighbor said they were talking and singing loudly as music pumped in the background, according to an arrest report.
When Naples police arrived to investigate a noise complaint, the residents and the officers got into a fight, leading to the arrest of Stepanovich, his wife and three other party-goers on charges ranging from disorderly conduct to battery on a law enforcement officer, reports said. And while running a background check on Stepanovich, police found the warrant, which said he was wanted for murder but gave no further explanation.
In a first appearance in court the next day, Stepanovich told a judge he was a U.S. citizen who had lived with his wife and daughter for more than three years in Naples, where he worked downtown as a manager at Sea Salt restaurant. Although the only documents he had were written in his native language, his Serbian attorney, Aleksandar Popovic, insisted the warrant was invalid.
"He's a free man now in Serbia," Popovic told the judge.
Stepanovich posted his $29,500 bond and was released from jail the following day.
The warrant originally stemmed from a Dec. 5, 2007, shooting at a restaurant in Belgrade, according to multiple news sources in Eastern Europe. News reports said two men got into a shootout that ended with both dead. Stepanovich had been accused of shooting one of the men as he tried to escape from the pub, according to news reports.
But Stepanovich did not have a gun at the restaurant, said Vitale, the Naples-based attorney. In fact, he had been in another room at the time the shots were fired.
"He fled with everyone else. When there's a shooting at the bar, people leave the bar," Vitale said. "That was the extent of the involvement."
Naples police spokesman Lt. John Barkley said his agency had control only over the local charges, stressing that all information provided about the warrant came directly from Interpol.
The murder charge "was not what we charged him with," Barkley said. "That wasn't the only reason he went to jail."
Although Serbian authorities are no longer seeking Stepanovich, his wife and his lawyer said the charge has caused other problems, including the couple's lease at Bayfront to be terminated June 30.
"They live here, they work here, they're going to be evicted from where he lives, partly because of this hysteria about this murder charge," Vitale said. "It was not a technicality. The charges were dismissed because he was not guilty of the charge."
Missing Persons in Collier
Color Collier Healthy Run 2013
First Baptist Academy Commencement
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 27
FloridaVoter writes:
Wow - the man is not a murderer. And he is a US citizen. And Zero comments on this news story?
Where are all the apologies from the good folks who wanted to string him up or deport him a week ago?
I still think the conduct regarding the noise complaint is not that of a "nice" person but evidently he didn't deserve the public flogging - in the usual vitriolic "Naples Daily News Anonymous Mob - Style".
Regarding the termination of the lease in Bayfront: That's condo living in Naples. People call the police for anything that doesn't fit into their retired and "leave me alone" lifestyle. One does not have to be a falsely accused murderer to offend the local sensibilities. Anyone with a child that might run down the hallway, a teenager who lies by the pool or a puppy is a target.
babbas writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
alexia6ciula writes:
I agree. Those Serbians are animals, I would not be surprised if the paper the attorney showed are false. I have seen so many come to USA using false identity they purchased in Europe, then go to the Immigration and ask for asylum under a different name. If you think the poor Mexican is a treat to USA think about what those animals do in Europe. In between prostitution, drugs, rapes, murders and raketing you name it.
stonnerjohnnyII writes:
That one kick must have felt soooo good!
tnflga writes:
Just an observation, but why is it that EVERY time the police in Naples or CCSO are called to a NOISE complaint, there is always a Battery on a LEO charge and everyone in the house goes to jail! It happens ALL the time. And the police usually end up with a lawsuit against them. Something very wrong with this picture.
naples99 writes:
I have had the privilege to get to know this family very well as I was the nanny for their young daughter. I can assure everyone that they aren't what the headlines in the news seem to portray. They are incredibly hard working and excellent parents.
Z07 writes:
The reason for that is when the cops are called to a noise complaint, the people causing the complaint are usually drunk. This is why they are abusing the neighborhood with their loud unwanted music. If you were a cop in that situation I'd like to see how you would handle a bunch of drunk a holes that had you outnumbered. You'd probably go for your gun.
I have found that if you treat a cop with respect they will treat you with respect. In our current society there is no respect. You see it every day just driving. Especially if you ride a motorcycle. Many people don't respect you or your space when you are on a motorcycle. Ask any biker.
tnflga writes:
Unfortunately, the treat a cop with respect and they will treat you with respect, thing does not work in Collier County. It has been disproven numerous times.
stonnerjohnnyII writes:
Respect is earned
local64 writes:
If my neighbor was partying, singing and playing music untill 4am and I wasn't invited, I'd call the cops too.
IMSufrin (Inactive) writes:
I'll second that response. This Serbian dude is wrong. Sure seems to have plenty of "connected" lawyers working for him, for such a "nice" guy!
Miami-mia writes:
Is that really professional from a Collier County Police to first call the media and announce something before verification of validity from Interpol and Serbian officials? Is police here to protect us or fight against us citizens? How can this couple speak and defend themselves with so little rights and media influence so that we can hear their side too? Where are the civil rights? Those people are two normal people like any of us, hardworking responsible parents having drinks at their own home and getting their lives ruined for Collier Police exposed untruthful facts before obtaining the answer from Interpol and Serbian Officials. They are being exposed to abnormal social, financial, work and life pressure for what, loud music?!? Seriously? Isn’t the punishment for having drinks and playing loud music too high considering the loss of jobs, high attorney fees, being expelled from home, high media and social pressure, questioning credibility and losing prospect for any new job. We are all humans not judges to arbitrate and ruin others’ lives!
GeeRide writes:
Where do you get your statistics? The cops go to noise complaints every day and night but yet I see very few "Battery LEO" charges on the daily arrest logs.
Caramela1 writes:
It amazes me how prejudice and quick to judge, people are in this town. I knew from the beginning that Aleks was innocent and you all were so quick to say deport him meanwhile everyone failed to mention that he did come to this country the CORRECT way and became a US citizen. The police department should not have released any information to the press before knowing the full story themselves and finding out it was false accusations. They have ruined this mans respect in the community and have turned a lot of peoole against him and his Family. I have stuck by his side this whole time and I will continue to do anything I can for them to help them. Him and his wife are amazing giving people and would help pretty much anyone if they needed it and in return they get this? Not deserved on their part at all. I hope all of you racist rude people realize what you have done to this family and potentially others.
Z07 writes:
He did it to himself when he kicked a cop in the face. Is that ok where you come from? It's a felony here and he's going to pay for it for the rest of his life if convicted. Felony convictions don't go away.
garnet1995 writes:
Terrible situation living in the most conservative place could be trying at times ,people really are so fake here, BS shoots out of many mouths, maybe if these people are nice ,normal people they are in the wrong place This Naples is not nice and certainly not normal.
ripperln writes:
Shame on the bigots and their anger at an American citizen. This man has not been convicted of anything. I have known him for 20 years and the charges are out character for him. He was an US government contractor for the Pentegon in DC. If you are not native American, we all came from a foreign country. Alecks is a good man. Let the Court decide before you you convict. Shame on all who prejudge this good American family. I am not a recent immigrant. My family arrived in Jameston, VA in 1607.
legal_right writes:
Dear Monika,
I"m not sure of what your interpretation of "nice and normal" is or what it means where you come from, but if it means being disrespectful to your neighbors and assaulting law enforcement officers who are upholding the peace then you are not welcome here as far as I am concerned.
Sunny011 writes:
Alex is a guy with the big heart. He would never ever kill anyone!!!! He is very protective of his family. Great person that you want to be your best friend!
brokenmarine writes:
Don't be to quick to believe everything you read in the paper, or what collier counties finest report. I had a deputy talking to me once and he got a call and said, oops, got to go, I asked whats up, he said, time to testilie, I said , WHAT, he said that what they called it when they are called to make their case, testilying, he told me they get in trouble if they lose. WOW, True Story. Well you have good people and bad, good cops and bad, good reporters and bad. Thats life, but to ruin a mans life in a country that is suppose to be " innocent before proven guilty", that is what I defended this country for?? Testilie, still gives me the chills.
MissMuffet writes:
I, and my friends, will no longer even consider going to Sea Salt eatery.
NDN articles. Fastest way to get a dining establishment shut down. Thank you!
Caramela1 writes:
I do not understand how Sea Salt has anything to do with NDN. The poor man is innocent and now what , your blaming it on his work? What is wrong with you people.
IMSufrin (Inactive) writes:
Clearly, this whole thing is Sea Salt's doing. Can't you see the truth right in front of you?
ripperln writes:
I doubt that you have ever been. Haven't you heard that in the US, you are innocent until proven guilty. I'm sure a lot more people will be going to Sea Salt knowing you and your friends aren't going to be there. Why are you so judgmental on a good American citizen who has not had his day in court? Let the court decide not the press. I fought in a war that assured you that you could make your statement and came home to a press that didn't appreciate my effort. Remember Vietnam Nam? Let the Court decide. Sea Salt has no dog is this fight.
unfatcat writes:
I'm quite sure from your post that you know no cops in Collier County, since I do and bogus crap is what you're spewing.
Also, you may have missed the part of this story that does not say "Not Guilty"; instead charges not being pursued, perhaps because there was no evidence; or perhaps it's because he permanantly moved to this country?
FloridaVoter writes:
Where do I begin? This is almost too easy. Raketing is not a crime. I'm not sure that's even a word. And I do think that Mexicans are a treat to the U.S. - but that's probably also not what you meant.
I love the First Amendment which gives everyone the right to voice their opinion no matter how uneducated, misguided or hateful.
FloridaVoter writes:
That's not exactly how that works. The police just file the arrest record, the paper then picks up what they deem interesting.
Evidently the warrant was mentioned in the report, and the paper thought it newsworthy. They reported on the fact that the arrest had happened and the reasons for the arrest. To their credit, they also reported on the fact that the outstanding warrant (on which the police acted) should not have been there in the first place.
No noise complaint should ruin people's lives. It should end with an "oops, sorry, we didn't mean to have the music so loud" - an eye rolling and perhaps a decision to find themselves a different place to live. It should not end with officers getting kicked.
Unfortunately, people who party loudly are usually intoxicated and not using their best judgment - which may get them arrested, and they have to deal with the consequences.
In this town - because of the ability to make anonymous comments in the public forum - the consequences are that a hateful, judgmental and uneducated mob descends on you with racists bigoted comments - particularly if you are from a different ethnic background. They defend this as "free speech" but it's really condoned unconstitutional discrimination based on national origin. That is completely the responsibility of the Naples Daily News, which refuses to change its policy.
At least in the middle ages people had to come personally to the market square and throw tomatoes at the accused. In Naples, you can throw whatever you want and hide behind the NDN policy of anonymity.
Want to participate in the conversation? Become a subscriber today. Subscribers can read and comment on any story, anytime. Non-subscribers will only be able to view comments on select stories.