Palm Beach County Clerk Michael Caruso, a DeSantis appointee, was immediately suspended from office.

Palm Beach County Clerk of Court Michael Caruso, a former Republican state legislator who previously backed the death penalty for adults convicted of sexually battering children under 12, was arrested Tuesday on five felony child sex abuse charges.

The 67-year-old married father of seven, who was appointed by Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, faces five felony counts: kidnapping, child molestation, lewd exhibition, luring or enticing a child and child abuse causing mental injury, an arrest affidavit shows.

Investigators in Florida say Caruso violated a child—who is a relative—and allege the abuse occurred multiple times from fall 2024 to August 2025, including on a family cruise, a fishing outing and during a Thanksgiving gathering. The child has been receiving therapeutic services since April 2026, according to the police affidavit.

Its always the ones you most suspect.

  • dylanmorgan@slrpnk.net
    68·
    2 days ago

    I’m against the death penalty except for people who advocate it’s use in punishing crimes they are guilty of.

    • chiliedogg@lemmy.world
      14·
      2 days ago

      He called for death penalty for sexual abuse of children under 12. Weird that he picked that age, specifically…

      • Nollij@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        1·
        1 day ago

        There are a few states that have similar terms. I suppose the idea is that if the victim hasn’t reached puberty, it’s more devastating?

    • Canaconda@lemmy.ca
      6·
      2 days ago

      I’m against it being used against the working class.

      However billionares/politicians that use their power to undermine justice, subvert democracy, and avoid punishment for their own crimes, cannot be reformed and need to be made an example of.

      • Regrettable_incident@lemmy.world
        1·
        1 day ago

        I’m absolutely against it until we have a 100% reliable method of proving guilt. There are definitely some people who shouldn’t be breathing air, but I don’t trust the legal system to apply this penalty fairly and correctly in every case. Also, if we absolutely knew someone was guilty there’s no need for such a prolonged appeals process - take em down to the courthouse basement and bolt gun their head like a farm animal.

      • Canaconda@lemmy.ca
        4·
        2 days ago

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazen_bull

        After finishing construction on the execution device, Perilaus said to Phalaris: “His screams will come to you through the pipes as the tenderest, most pathetic, most melodious of bellowings.” Perilaus believed he would receive a reward for his invention. Instead, Phalaris, who was disgusted by these words, ordered its horn sound system to be tested by Perilaus himself, tricking him into getting in the bull. When Perilaus entered, he was immediately locked in and the fire was set, so that Phalaris could hear the sound of Perilaus’ screams. Before Perilaus could die, Phalaris ordered him removed from the bull. After freeing him from the bull, Phalaris is then said to have had Perilaus thrown to his death from atop a high cliff.