ORLANDO, Fla. — A judge is expected to decide Friday whether suspended Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts Michael Caruso will remain behind bars while he awaits trial on child sexual abuse charges.
Caruso is scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing beginning at 9 a.m.
Prosecutors are asking the judge to keep him jailed, arguing that the alleged victim and family members are fearful because of the intense publicity surrounding the case.
Caruso was arrested last week and is currently facing five felony counts involving allegations that he sexually abused a boy younger than 12 on more than one occasion.
Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Caruso from his position as Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts on Monday following his arrest.
Prosecutors are also pointing to a previous allegation involving Caruso from 2013.
That investigation did not result in criminal charges, but prosecutors argue the earlier accusation is relevant to their case and indicates a pattern of alleged behavior.
The defense has disputed the allegations. Caruso has also identified what he says is a connection between the current case and the 2013 accusation.
The detention hearing could determine whether Caruso is released while the criminal case moves forward or remains in custody until trial.
Caruso’s next scheduled court date is Sept. 8.
If convicted of the current charges, Caruso could face severe penalties.
Prosecutors say the potential punishment includes the death penalty under a Florida law that Caruso supported while serving as a state representative.
The allegations against Caruso have not been proven in court. He is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty.
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