In a surprising turn of events, Governor Ron DeSantis, a prominent Republican figure in Florida, took center stage on Wednesday morning to announce the suspension of Monique Worrell, serving as the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit. DeSantis pointedly cited instances of dereliction of duty and incompetence as the driving forces behind this decision.
Worrell’s background, backed by a group with ties to Democratic billionaire George Soros, came under scrutiny as DeSantis accused her of implementing policies that led to reduced sentences for those convicted of heinous crimes such as murder, violent offenses, and perilous drug trafficking. This, he asserted, allowed such individuals to escape the full legal ramifications of their actions.
The suspension unfolded against a backdrop of specific policies and practices listed in the executive order, including contentious topics such as bypassing minimum mandatory sentences for gun-related crimes and drug trafficking, extending leniency to juvenile offenders, undermining valid sentencing enhancements, curbing charges for child pornography, and pursuing adjudication withholdings in defiance of Florida’s legal norms.
As DeSantis articulated his stance, he provided instances that seemingly underscored the effects of these policies:
The case of Daton Viel, arrested on charges of sexual battery on a minor in March 2023, took a concerning turn. While on probation for another offense, Viel was granted bond and later went on to shockingly shoot two Orlando Police Officers.
Lorenzo Larry, who faced firearm charges in May 2022, was released and subsequently involved in the tragic killing of his pregnant girlfriend in November 2022.
Keith Moses, with an extensive record of juvenile arrests, took a tragic path by shooting and killing a cameraman and a 9-year-old girl in February 2023. Alarmingly, despite prior arrests, no charges were pursued.
An unsettling instance occurred in October 2022, where a minor faced first-degree murder charges with clear evidence captured on video. Curiously, a month later, Worrell’s office sought to downgrade the charges to firearm possession, resulting in probation.
Governor DeSantis announced a pivotal decision in the wake of Worrell’s suspension, introducing Judge Andrew Bain as the successor to the role of State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit.
This move mirrors a similar action undertaken by DeSantis almost a year ago, which saw the removal of State Attorney Andrew Warren from the 13th Judicial Circuit. Warren, like Worrell, was associated with the controversial figure George Soros, further amplifying the stakes of this recent suspension.