By-Line: Tonya Woodworth, Director of Public Information, FCSO
On August 20, 2025, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an extradition request to the Governor of North Carolina for Florida fugitive Kermit Booth, 72, of Franklin, North Carolina. Booth had been arrested on August 1, 2025, in Macon County, North Carolina, as a fugitive from justice on a Flagler County warrant for two counts of sexual battery on a person less than 12 years of age with a Florida bond of $500,000. This is a capital crime with a penalty of life in prison in Florida. A Macon County, N.C., magistrate set Booth’s bond at $35,000, and he posted bond and was released by Macon County, N.C., authorities.
In Governor Ron DeSantis’ request, he appointed Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly to receive, convey, and transport Booth from North Carolina to Florida to be held accountable for his crimes.
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“North Carolina said they would not hold this pervert for us unless we got a governor’s warrant, so we got one,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I applaud Governor Ron DeSantis for quickly issuing this extradition request, which asks North Carolina authorities to turn him over to my custody. No one is above the law, and we will not sit back and watch anyone use another state as a safe haven to hide from justice in Florida. I will always stand with our victims and fight for justice. Justice might be delayed, but with the cooperation of North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, Booth will soon be sitting in the Green Roof Inn [aka county jail].”
The post Case Update: Florida Governor Issues Extradition Request for North Carolina to Turn Florida Fugitive Over to FCSO Custody first appeared on Flagler County Buzz.
