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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Monique H. Worrell
    • Executive Team
    • Careers & Volunteers
  • Contact Us
    • Attorneys/Law Enforcement
    • Locations
  • Victims/Witnesses
  • Diversion
    • Adult Civil Citation Program
    • Diversion Programs
      • Resisting Officer Without Violence Diversion
      • Level 1 Drug Diversion Program
      • Underage Drinking Diversion Program
  • Community Engagement
    • Community Education
      • Understanding the Court System
      • Lifecycle of a Criminal Case
      • Legal Glossary
      • F.A.Q.
  • Conviction Integrity
    • Conviction Review Application
  • For the Media
  • Public Records Request
  • Helpful Links
  • Search Cases/Dockets
  • Seal and Expunge
  • Baker Act
  • Consumer Protection
303 2nd st.
San Francisco

(415) 872 - 9585

For the Media

The mission of the Public Information Office is to provide accurate information to citizens and the media in a timely manner. Dedicated to promoting and supporting various functions within the SAO, the office also provides information on services and initiatives.​ 

​If you are a member of the media and have a public records request or inquiry please email mediarecordsrequest@sao9.org. For all other request (i.e. statements, questions, or interview requests) please email pio@sao9.org​. Include the case number and name of the defendant when possible.
​
All non-media requests for public records, please visit our Public Records Request Page.

Press Releases


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The Ninth Judicial Circuit’s State Attorney’s Office Mourns the Loss of Assistant State Attorney Pamela “Pam” Davis
February 6, 2023
ORANGE COUNTY, FL — It is with profound sadness and with a broken heart we announce the passing of Assistant State Attorney Pamela G. Davis on Sunday, February 5, 2023. Since beginning her career as a prosecutor in the Ninth Judicial Circuit’s State Attorney’s Office on August 1, 1991, Pam has successfully litigated many sex crimes, domestic violence, human trafficking, and homicide trials. Pam was ... READ MORE

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State Attorney Monique Worrell’s Statement on the Tragic Death of Mr. Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee
January 30, 2023
ORANGE COUNTY, FL — State Attorney Monique Worrell speaks out regarding the tragic death of Mr. Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee. I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Mr. Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis Police Officers. My deepest sympathies and sincerest condolences go to his family and his community... READ MORE

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State Attorney Monique Worrell’s Announces First-Degree Murder Conviction
January 20, 2023
ORANGE COUNTY, FL — Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Monique H. Worrell announces a jury in Orange County found Adam Higginbotham, 39, guilty of first-degree murder. On May 5, 2022, the victim and wife of Mr. Higginbotham, Mrs. Connie Dunn was last seen on video surveillance with the defendant walking in downtown Orlando towards the abandoned Orlando Sentinel building at 633 N. Orange Avenue ... READ MORE

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State Attorney Monique Worrell’s Announces Carjacking with a Firearm Conviction​   
January 20, 2023
ORANGE COUNTY, FL — Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Monique H. Worrell announces a jury in Orange County found Kevin Steplight, 35, guilty of carjacking with a firearm. On the night of Saturday, October 16, 2021, the victim in this case was driving from out of town to drop his friend off in Orlando. The victim and his friend stopped at a WAWA gas station to get some food ... READ MORE

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State Attorney Monique Worrell’s Statement on the Passing of Ms. Joanna Gomes   
January 6, 2023
ORANGE COUNTY, FL — We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Ms. Joanna Gomes. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, especially her children. Unfortunately, Ms. Gomes was no stranger to our office. She was recently named as a victim... READ MORE

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Statement Regarding the Resolution of a Case of Community Interest - Mr. Mahmoud Arabi  
September 15, 2022
ORANGE COUNTY, FL — In every case, our office endeavors to secure accountability for harms done to others, while promoting public safety and respecting the rights and humanity of all persons. Our review of the circumstances in Mr. Jose A. Ruiz’s case shows this resolution was consistent with those values and goals..... READ MORE

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State Attorney Monique H. Worrell’s Statement on Danielle Redlick Verdict
June 17, 2022
ORANGE COUNTY, FL — Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Monique H. Worrell announces a six–person jury in Orange County found Danielle Justice Redlick, 48, not guilty of second-degree murder in the homicide of Mr. Michael Redlick. Ms. Redlick was found guilty of tampering with evidence.... READ MORE

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State Attorney Monique H. Worrell’s Statement on the Arrest of 10-Year-Old Child
June 7, 2022
ORANGE COUNTY, FL — Today, following an investigation, the Orlando Police Department took a 10-year-old child, accused of using her mother’s gun to shoot and kill Ms. Lashun Rodgers on Memorial Day into custody. This is one of the most tragic cases I have seen in my 22-year career... READ MORE

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State Attorney Monique H. Worrell Announces Guilty Verdict in Child Abuse and Neglect Case
June 6, 2022
ORANGE COUNTY, FL — Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Monique H. Worrell announces a six–person jury in Orange County found Timothy Lee Wilson, 36, guilty of 2 counts of false imprisonment on a child under the age of 13, 3 counts of aggravated child abuse with a weapon, 4 counts of aggravated child abuse, and one count of child neglect... READ MORE

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State Attorney Monique H. Worrell Holds Press Conference on Attacks Against Law Enforcement and Gun Violence
June 2, 2022
ORANGE COUNTY, FL — State Attorney Monique H. Worrell invites members of the media to a press conference for the purpose of addressing the recent attacks against law enforcement and gun violence in the Ninth Judicial Circuit.. READ MORE

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State Attorney Monique Worrell’s Statement on an Officer-Involved Critical Incident Involving the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office
May 19, 2022
OSCEOLA COUNTY, FL — On February 27, 2022, there was an Officer-Involved Critical Incident (OICI) in Orange County, involving the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. Shortly after news outlets reported the incident, the Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit inquired about the status of the investigation with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement​... READ MORE

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State Attorney Monique H. Worrell Announces Osceola County Community Townhall Meeting at the Kissimmee Civic Center
May 11, 2022
OSCEOLA COUNTY, FL — State Attorney Monique H. Worrell and the Ninth Judicial Circuit’s Community Engagement team will host the first of a series of Osceola community townhall meetings on Monday, May 16th at 6:00pm.... READ MORE

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State Attorney Worrell Announces Conviction of Anthony Todt for First-Degree Murder and Cruelty to Animals
April 15, 2022
OSCEOLA COUNTY, FL — State Attorney Monique Worrell announces the conviction of Anthony John Todt who was found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of animal cruelty in the killing of his wife (Megan), three children (Alek, Tyler and Zoe), and their family dog (Breezy)... READ MORE

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Deputy Sheriff Indicted for Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon or Causing Great Bodily Harm
April 1, 2022
ORLANDO, FL — An Orange County Grand Jury indicted Orange County Deputy Sheriff Bruce Stolk Thursday on felony charges. In accordance with the Office’s Officer-Involved Critical Incident Policy, “where there are factual issues that must be resolved, those cases will be referred to the Grand Jury to determine... READ MORE

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Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell Creates the Ninth Judicial Circuit’s First-Ever Adult Civil Citation Program
March 31, 2022
ORLANDO, FL — State Attorney Monique H. Worrell was joined today by Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Sheriff John Mina of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Chief Jose Velez of the Orlando Police Department and Deputy Chief Betty Holland of the Kissimmee Police Department in announcing the circuit’s first-ever​... READ MORE

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State Attorney Monique Worrell Announces Series of Community Townhall Meetings for the Ninth Judicial Circuit
March 25, 2022
ORLANDO, FL — State Attorney Monique H. Worrell and the Ninth Judicial Circuit’s Community Engagement team will host the first of a series of community townhall meetings on Tuesday, March 29th at 6:00pm. This community townhall will be held at The Kingdom Church located at 800 N. Pine Hills Road in Orlando... READ MORE

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State Attorney Monique Worrell Announces the Creation of the Special Victims Unit at the State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit
February 28, 2022
ORLANDO, FL — The State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit is creating a new, special victims’ unit that will handle the prosecution of all sexual crimes and allegations of domestic violence. Consolidating these cases into a single unit will lower individual caseloads... READ MORE

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State Attorney Worrell Appoints Veteran Public Defender and Assistant State Attorney Mark Daniel Wixtrom as Chief Assistant State Attorney
January 10, 2022
ORLANDO, FL — State Attorney Monique H. Worrell has appointed veteran public defender and Assistant State Attorney Mark Daniel Wixtrom as her Chief Assistant State Attorney. In this role, Wixtrom will help execute the administration’s vision for the Ninth Judicial Circuit... READ MORE

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State Attorney Worrell Announces New Narcotics Unit
November 14, 2021
ORLANDO, FL, November 14, 2021 — Under the leadership of State Attorney Monique H. Worrell, the State Attorney’s Office is proud to announce the development of a newly developed Narcotics Unit. The mission of the Narcotics Unit is to promote a fair and equitable administration of justice, while protecting... READ MORE

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SAO9 Hosts Meet-and-Greet for Inaugural Community Engagement Committee
November 12, 2021
ORLANDO, FL, November 12, 2021 — State Attorney Monique H. Worrell On Wednesday, November 10th, the Community Engagement Team at the State Attorney’s Office hosted a meet-and-greet for members of the inaugural Community Engagement Committee. State Attorney Monique H. Worrell... READ MORE

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STATE ATTORNEY MONIQUE WORRELL’S STATEMENT IN HONOR OF VETERANS DAY
November 11, 2021
ORLANDO, FL — The State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit will be closed today, Thursday, November 11th, in observation of Veterans Day... READ MORE

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PUBLIC NOTICE OF OSCEOLA COUNTY INVESTIGATIVE BUREAU MEETING
November 4, 2021
ORLANDO, FL — The regular meeting of the Osceola County Investigative Bureau (OCIB) will be held on Monday, November 8, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the County Administration Building (directly across from the Osceola County Courthouse), conference room 4727. The physical address is 1 Courthouse... READ MORE

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THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY OFFERS MESSAGE OF HOPE TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
October 29, 2021
ORLANDO, FL — As Domestic Violence Awareness Month concludes, State Attorney Monique Worrell offers a message of hope, while reaffirming her office’s commitment to advocating for those impacted by domestic violence across the ninth judicial circuit... READ MORE

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THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY CELEBRATES NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY
October 11, 2021
ORLANDO, FL — The Office of the State Attorney would like to recognize National Coming Out Day. This day was inspired by a single march that took place on October 11th, 1987. On that special day, 500,000 people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. The march... READ MORE

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THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY RECOGNIZES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH
October 1, 2021
ORLANDO, FL — Domestic Violence is a pattern of coercive behavior in which one partner attempts to control the other through threats of physical, sexual, verbal, financial, or psychological abuse. This controlling behavior may occur during the relationship... READ MORE

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STATE ATTORNEY MONIQUE WORRELL’S STATEMENT ON THE RECENT ATTACKS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
September 26, 2021
​ORLANDO, FL – State Attorney Monique Worrell joins city and community leaders in condemning the horrific attacks against Orlando police officers in recent weeks. These senseless acts of violence serve only to sow further division in our communities... READ MORE

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NINTH CIRCUIT STATE ATTORNEY RECOGNIZES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
September 15, 2021
ORLANDO, FL – Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and... READ MORE

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STATE ATTORNEY MONIQUE WORRELL’S STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF JEAN SAMUEL CELESTIN
September 9, 2021
ORLANDO, FL – At the request of the Celestin family, State Attorney Monique H. Worrell and her Executive Team met with the family and their attorneys on August 31, 2021, concerning the traumatic death of Jean Samuel Celestin. During the meeting, the State Attorney... READ MORE

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NINTH CIRCUIT STATE ATTORNEY RECOGNIZES SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH
September 1, 2021
ORLANDO, FL – There is an average of 123 suicides each day in the United States of America. It’s the tenth leading cause of death in America — second leading for ages 25-34, and third leading for ages 15-24. In order to create awareness and strengthen the fight... READ MORE

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OFFICER INVOLVED CRITICAL INCIDENT INVESTIGATION OF ETHAN FOURNIER
August 17, 2021
The State Attorney’s Office has the responsibility of reviewing all investigations of Officer Involved Critical Incidents (OICI) that occur within the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Orange and Osceola Counties. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) acts as... READ MORE

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STATE ATTORNEY MONIQUE H. WORRELL’S UPDATE ON THE MURDER ARREST OF KAYLAN VEGA
August 11, 2021
ORLANDO, FL — In an effort to keep the community informed with the prior reporting of the arrest of Kaylan Vega for second-degree murder, we are providing an update. Today, the defense’s Motion for Automatic Release on Own Recognizance on behalf of Mr. Vega was... READ MORE

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STATE ATTORNEY MONIQUE H. WORRELL’S STATEMENT ON THE MURDER ARREST OF KAYLAN VEGA
July 8, 2021
ORLANDO, FL — The Office of the State Attorney (“the Office”) for the Ninth Judicial Circuit is aware of the recent arrest of Kaylan Vega by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office for murder. This matter remains an active and ongoing investigation... READ MORE

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STATE ATTORNEY MONIQUE H. WORRELL ESTABLISHES AN INAUGURAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE
July 2, 2021
ORLANDO, FL — The Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit is thrilled to announce the inaugural Community Engagement Committee. State Attorney Monique H. Worrell believes that prosecutorial accountability requires systemic change and should... READ MORE

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STATE ATTORNEY MONIQUE H. WORRELL’S STATEMENT ON JUNETEENTH
June 18, 2021
ORLANDO, FL — Saturday, June 19th marks the 156th Anniversary of Juneteenth. Juneteenth is a celebration of independence and commemorates a day when all Americans were proclaimed to be free. Specifically, on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the... READ MORE

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OPERATION “GOOD CALL”
June 18, 2021
ORLANDO, FL — The Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit is proud to partner with the Orlando Police Department in “Operation Good Call.” This nine-month investigation was conducted by Orlando Police Department’s Special Enforcement Division’s... READ MORE

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STATE ATTORNEY’S MEETING WITH THE FAMILY OF SALAYTHIS MELVIN
April 27, 2021
ORLANDO, FL – Today, State Attorney Monique Worrell met with the family of Mr. Salaythis Melvin to address the status of the ongoing investigation of the deputy-involved shooting that resulted in the death of Mr. Melvin on August 7, 2020, outside of Florida Mall. While there... READ MORE

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STATUS OF THE OFFICER-INVOLVED CRITICAL INCIDENT RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF SALAYTHIS MELVIN
April 22, 2021
ORLANDO, FL – The Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit (the “Office”) is actively investigating the deputy-involved shooting that resulted in the death of Mr. Salaythis Melvin on August 7, 2020, outside of Florida Mall... READ MORE

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THE STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE OF THE NINTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT JOINS PROSECUTORIAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS PROJECT
March 30, 2021
ORLANDO, FL – The State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit has joined a network of nationally recognized researchers and prosecutors who are committed to increasing transparency and accountability by objectively measuring and analyzing prosecutorial practices... READ MORE

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SAO9 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN
February 18, 2021
ORLANDO, FL – The State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit has stepped in to perform its part in the process to curbing the spread of the Coronavirus “COVID-19” by implementing the “Community Health and Safety Plan.” During this time, we are... READ MORE

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CHARGES FILED AGAINST FORMER DEPUTY SHERIFF AYLER CRUZ
January 27, 2021
ORLANDO, FL – This morning, our office filed charges against former Deputy Sheriff Ayler Cruz for perjury in official proceeding, perjury when not in an official proceeding, and battery. It is important to note that as a result of this incident, Ayler Cruz is no longer with the... READ MORE

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STATE ATTORNEY WORRELL’S STATEMENT ON THE WITHDRAWAL OF DEATH NOTICES
January 8, 2021
ORLANDO, FL – The Office of the State Attorney received a phone call at 8:30 a.m. this morning inviting us to an 11 a.m. press conference on former State Attorney Aramis Ayala’s decision to withdraw death notices in three cases. Whether to seek the death penalty is one of... READ MORE

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NINTH CIRCUIT STATE ATTORNEY STATEMENT ON THE REVOCATION OF DEATH NOTICES
January 5, 2021
ORLANDO, FL – The outgoing State Attorney reviewed decisions made by her employees who worked under her supervision and informed us of the following: “Making the decision on how to charge cases involves a variety of factors and numerous other considerations... READ MORE

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Monique H. Worrell
    • Executive Team
    • Careers & Volunteers
  • Contact Us
    • Attorneys/Law Enforcement
    • Locations
  • Victims/Witnesses
  • Diversion
    • Adult Civil Citation Program
    • Diversion Programs
      • Resisting Officer Without Violence Diversion
      • Level 1 Drug Diversion Program
      • Underage Drinking Diversion Program
  • Community Engagement
    • Community Education
      • Understanding the Court System
      • Lifecycle of a Criminal Case
      • Legal Glossary
      • F.A.Q.
  • Conviction Integrity
    • Conviction Review Application
  • For the Media
  • Public Records Request
  • Helpful Links
  • Search Cases/Dockets
  • Seal and Expunge
  • Baker Act
  • Consumer Protection