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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis this week suggested that a former ally he appointed as Palm Beach County clerk of court could face the death penalty if convicted of child sex abuse charges.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, DeSantis said that Michael Caruso could be in for a “world of hurt” if convicted. Caruso, 67, who has been suspended from his clerk duties following his arrest on Tuesday, is accused of preying on a young boy more than half a dozen times since 2024.
He faces charges of kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse causing mental injury. The victim detailed the alleged abuse to investigators in Orange County, according to local media reports.
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One of the more serious allegations involved a seven-day Royal Caribbean cruise in which Caruso allegedly separated the victim from his family and engaged in inappropriate acts.
DeSantis suspended him from his post following the arrest. During a news conference, DeSantis noted that Caruso could face the death penalty if found guilty.
“We’re the first state to reintroduce the death penalty for pedophiles,” DeSantis told reporters. “I’m proud that I signed that into law, and I’m proud that we have very strong penalties for people that abuse children.”
“If he is convicted, he’s going to be in for a world of hurt,” the governor added.
DeSantis noted that Caruso was a “clean vet” and “was well regarded in the community” at the time he was appointed. He said the decision to “yank him from that position” was an easy one.
Florida lawmakers in April 2023 passed a law allowing prosecutors to seek the death penalty for those convicted of capital sexual battery of a child under the age of 12.
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However, it is unclear whether Caruso could face the ultimate punishment, as the charges against him do not appear to qualify as capital sexual battery.
“Based upon the current precedent, this law would pass constitutional muster,” said Mark Schlakman, who reviewed death penalty cases while working under former Florida Gov. Lawton Childs as assistant general counsel and serves as the senior program director for the Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights.
Schlakman noted that one can’t predict what the U.S. Supreme Court will do if the law comes before the high court.
“What would happen or will happen? Can’t tell you,” he said.
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As of Wednesday, Florida has carried out 13 executions, leading all other states.
The most recent happened Tuesday when William Francis Silvia, 61, died by lethal injection for fatally shooting his estranged wife and wounding his mother-in-law.
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