Florida News
Published Aug. 18, 2026, 4:48 p.m. ET | Updated Aug. 18, 2026
SARASOTA, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Michael Caruso faces a “world of hurt” if convicted of five felony charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a child, while defending the state’s handling of the case and pointing to Florida’s death penalty law for certain child sex offenses.
DeSantis made the comments during an event at New College of Florida in Sarasota where he announced that Florida had become the first state to respond to a U.S. Department of Education call for academic and operational excellence. After a reporter asked whether he knew of previous allegations of abuse involving other family members when Caruso was appointed last year, DeSantis said there was no such information in the vetting materials.
“There was a lot of people that wanted him to be appointed to that position, and there was none of that information that was in any of the vetting materials,” DeSantis said.
Caruso, 67, was arrested Tuesday on five felony charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a child. The charges include kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child and child abuse involving mental injury.
DeSantis said the investigation was initiated by state authorities and praised law enforcement officials for their work building the case.
“The state was the one that initiated this investigation,” DeSantis said. “State law enforcement did it. The charges were brought by the statewide prosecutor.”
DeSantis said local prosecutors could become involved as the case moves forward. He also said the allegations are particularly serious and that investigators took time to develop a case that could withstand legal scrutiny.
“It’s obviously horrific crimes, but it’s also tough to build these cases, and so they’ve worked very hard to build a case that could withstand the legal system,” DeSantis said.
Following Caruso’s arrest, DeSantis issued an executive order immediately suspending him from office. The order prohibits Caruso from performing official duties, receiving pay or exercising the privileges of the clerk’s office.
DeSantis said removing Caruso from office was an easy decision once investigators moved forward with the arrest.
“Once they were willing to go and pull the trigger, you know, on the arrest, obviously it was a very easy decision for me to yank him from that position,” he said.
Caruso was appointed by DeSantis in August 2025 after serving seven years in the Florida House of Representatives. He was seeking election to retain the clerk’s position in November and was unopposed in Tuesday’s primary.
DeSantis also pointed to Florida’s criminal penalties for crimes against children, saying the state has taken an aggressive approach to prosecuting sexual offenses against minors.
“One of the things that we’ve done better than any state, I mean, we’re the first state to reintroduce the death penalty for pedophiles, and I’m proud that I signed that into law, and I’m proud that we have very strong penalties for people that abuse children,” DeSantis said.
“And if he’s convicted, he is going to be in for a world of hurt,” the governor added.
JUST IN: Gov. Ron DeSantis on Palm Beach County Clerk Michael Caruso’s arrest and Florida’s death penalty law for certain child sex offenses@GovRonDeSantis: "If he’s convicted, he is going to be in for a world of hurt.” pic.twitter.com/VAaenT6P53
The investigation remains ongoing. Caruso is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Florida’s Voice is a Florida-focused digital news outlet covering state politics, public policy, and cultural issues across the Sunshine State. As a voice for Floridians, Florida’s Voice delivers timely reporting, commentary, and analysis on the stories shaping Florida’s civic and political landscape.
Follow Us on Social
© 2021-2026 Florida’s Voice. All Rights Reserved.
Don’t miss out on any of our posts. You’ll receive daily summaries straight to your email so you’re always up to date on the latest news.
Will be used in accordance with out Privacy Policy.
DeSantis on Caruso arrest: ‘World of hurt’ if convicted, citing death penalty law – Florida’s Voice
