News Summary
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier condemned 9th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Monique Worrell for her approach to prosecuting child predators, claiming it jeopardizes community safety. Uthmeier highlighted specific cases where Worrell chose not to prosecute, arguing that her policies are ‘soft-on-crime’. Worrell defended her office’s decisions, focusing on case backlog improvements and asserting that charges are only pursued with sufficient evidence. The dispute raises concerns about prosecutorial practices amidst political tensions in Florida.
Orlando, Florida—On September 26, 2025, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier held a news conference in which he criticized 9th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Monique Worrell for failing to prosecute child predators, claiming her policies are endangering families in the region. Uthmeier characterized Worrell’s approach as indicative of a broader pattern of “soft-on-crime” policies that he argues are detrimental to public safety.
During the conference, Uthmeier spotlighted two particular cases involving alleged child predators that Worrell chose not to prosecute. The first case involved a 61-year-old man, Kevin Chapman, accused of exposing himself to children at Kit Land Nelson Park in Apopka on August 16. Uthmeier asserted that there was video evidence and eyewitness accounts supporting the allegations, yet Worrell decided not to pursue charges against Chapman. Uthmeier expressed that this decision amounted to giving Chapman “a free walk in the park,” an outcome that he believes threatens the safety of children in the community.
The second case highlighted by Uthmeier involved Thomas Dolgos, a 47-year-old man accused of possessing and sharing child pornography. According to Uthmeier, all charges against Dolgos were dropped by Worrell. He criticized the decision, stating that he would seek to have the Dolgos case reassigned to another judicial circuit if Worrell fails to act. Uthmeier insisted that child predators should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, maintaining that “soft-on-crime policies do not work.”
In response to Uthmeier’s accusations, Worrell indicated that her office has made progress regarding case backlogs, reporting a 21% decrease in non-arrest case backlogs, although more than 10,000 cases are still pending. Worrell emphasized the necessity for increased funding to efficiently manage these cases. She dismissed Uthmeier’s claims regarding non-prosecution policies, underscoring her trust in the judgment of her attorneys who assessed each case on its individual merits.
Worrell also stated that the decision to decline prosecution of the Chapman case was based on the assessment of the attorney involved, who concluded they could not substantiate the case beyond a reasonable doubt after a conversation with the child’s father. Furthermore, she defended her office’s practices, stating they are legally obligated to only pursue charges when sufficient evidence is present. She criticized Uthmeier’s comments as political maneuvers that overshadow the realities of public safety, labeling them as misinformation.
This public confrontation occurs in a context of ongoing political tensions. Worrell was previously suspended by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2023 over accusations related to similar policy stances but was re-elected later. Uthmeier mentioned that he is looking to collaborate with the governor’s office to ensure better prosecution of such cases. Meanwhile, Worrell maintained that Uthmeier’s actions hinder collaboration and demonstrate a “reckless disregard for the truth.”
As the press conference concluded, Uthmeier reiterated his call for strong prosecutions of dangerous child predators and emphasized the responsibility to uphold public safety. The exchange between Uthmeier and Worrell sheds light on the implications of prosecutorial policies and the responsibilities of state attorneys in navigating public safety concerns amidst delicate political landscapes.
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Additional Resources
- Click Orlando: Uthmeier News Conference
- Wikipedia: Florida Attorney General
- Florida Phoenix: Uthmeier Accuses Worrell
- Google Search: Florida Attorney General Child Predators
- WFLA: Uthmeier Press Conference
- Google Scholar: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier
- Orlando Sentinel: AG Threatens Worrell
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Law
- WINK News: Uthmeier News Conference
- Google News: Monique Worrell
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
