India, July 17 -- United States District Judge John E. Steele, who made headlines with his recent order to release convicted Cuban plane hijacker Maikel Guerra Morales, passed away at the age of 77 on Friday (July 16). The sudden demise of Steele comes on the heels of his controversial immigration decision that prompted political fire and public backlash. But officials haven't divulged details about the cause of his death yet. Steele's death was confirmed to ABC News by officials connected to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, where Steele served as a senior judge. While Steele's death has drawn a lot of attention because of its timing, at this point, there's no indication that his death had anything to do with th...