Ron DeSantis threatens his own official with the death penalty over heinous child sex charge
Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Mike Caruso, one of Ron DeSantis’s closest political allies, has been arrested on charges related to the alleged molestation of a child relative.
Caruso, 67, was charged with five felony counts, including kidnapping, child molestation, lewd exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse causing mental injury.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said Caruso could face additional charges as the criminal investigation remains ongoing.
Court documents detail multiple incidents in which the alleged victim told Orange County law enforcement that Caruso allegedly molested him during family gatherings after separating him from other relatives.
During one alleged incident in August 2025, Caruso took the child away from other family members aboard a seven-day Royal Caribbean cruise, claiming he was going to get him ice cream. The ship was in international waters at the time.
The boy’s father learned of the alleged abuse in October after the victim began behaving in a sexualized manner toward his younger brother, according to court documents.
The alleged victim later disclosed to family members multiple incidents in which Caruso allegedly molested him, according to court documents.
When confronted by the alleged victim’s father in December 2025, Caruso denied any wrongdoing. According to court documents, Caruso allegedly threatened his own family: ‘If you tell anyone I will get arrested. I will just go away. You tell anyone I’m going to jail.’
Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Mike Caruso, one of Ron DeSantis’s closest political allies, has been arrested on charges related to the alleged molestation of a child relative
Caruso is a longtime Republican Florida operative and former state legislator
Court documents detail multiple incidents in which the alleged victim told Orange County law enforcement that Caruso allegedly molested him during family gatherings after separating him from other relatives
In a February 2026 interview with police, Caruso denied the allegations by claiming he is attracted to women and that it’s ‘impossible’ for him to be a sex offender, according to the court documents.
The Daily Mail has not published the allegations in full because doing so could risk identifying the alleged victim.
Following Caruso’s arrest, DeSantis signed an executive order suspending the 67-year-old from public office.
Caruso was transferred to Orange County Jail where he would be held without bond pending his first court appearance.
Caruso emerged as one of DeSantis’ staunchest legislative allies during his seven years in the Florida House, repeatedly backing the governor’s agenda.
His loyalty was most visible in 2025, when he cast the lone vote against an immigration package opposed by DeSantis, a move that cost him a committee chairmanship and his Capitol office.
DeSantis later rewarded Caruso by appointing him Palm Beach County clerk of court and comptroller in August 2025.
At a Tuesday press conference, DeSantis distanced himself from Caruso, and suggested he could face the death penalty if found guilty.
During one alleged incident in August 2025, Caruso took the child away from other family members aboard a seven-day Royal Caribbean cruise, claiming he was going to get him ice cream. The ship was in international waters at the time
Caruso posing with his wife Tracy in front of a Christmas tree
When confronted by the alleged victim’s father in December 2025, Caruso denied any wrongdoing. According to court documents, Caruso allegedly threatened his own family: ‘If you tell anyone I will get arrested. I will just go away. You tell anyone I’m going to jail’
‘We’re one of the first states to reintroduce the death penalty for pedophiles,’ DeSantis told reporters when discussing Caruso.
‘If he is convicted he’s gonna be in for a world of hurt.’
Florida’s 2023 law allows prosecutors to seek the death penalty against an adult convicted of capital sexual battery of a child under 12.
Caruso voted in favor of the legislation, which DeSantis later signed into law, but none of the five charges announced Tuesday appears to be capital sexual battery.
