Palm Beach County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Michael Caruso appeared in court Wednesday, a day after his arrest on child sexual abuse charges.
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Caruso, 67, wore handcuffs and a blue jump suit as he quietly stood before a judge, who ordered him held without bond.
The charges filed against him include kidnapping, molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child and child abuse.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Caruso is accused of sexually abusing a child under the age of 12 multiple times over two years.
One of the alleged incidents happened on a cruise ship, the other in Orange County. The young victim is someone Caruso knew, authorities said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had appointed Caruso to lead the Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller’s Office last year.
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Caruso had previously been a member of the Florida House of Representatives for seven years.
DeSantis suspended Caruso from his position after his arrest Tuesday, calling the charges “horrific crimes.”
In court, prosecutors asked that if Caruso is released, he stay away from the alleged victim.
An attorney for the alleged victim released a statement.
“This arrest is a decisive line in the sand. When someone targets a child, they don’t just break the law — they shatter a community’s trust,” the statement read, in part. “We intend to make sure this survivor’s voice is heard through every step of this process.”
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