Attorney General James Uthmeier Demands State Attorney Worrell Prosecute Child Predators in the Ninth Judicial Circuit

Courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General

APOPKA, Fla.- Attorney General James Uthmeier today issued a letter to Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Monique Worrell after her office declined to prosecute Kevin Chapman, 61, who was arrested for masturbating on a public park bench in front of children, and Thomas Dolgos, 47, who shared dozens of images of toddler and infant sexual abuse material.

"Central Florida deserves better than a state attorney who prioritizes the guilty over protecting the innocent," said Attorney General James Uthmeier. "Once again, the question of Monique Worrell's fitness to hold an office of public trust is unavoidable. Whether these dismissals stemmed from malice or incompetence, they were inexcusable-and families in Central Florida continue to pay the price for her failures."

"I appreciate the leadership of Attorney General Uthmeier and Statewide Prosecutor McVay in confronting the serious public safety risks that arise when violent offenders are released back into our communities," said Congresswoman Laurel Lee. "Domestic violence and gun crimes are not minor offenses-they are clear indicators of escalating danger. As a former prosecutor and judge, I know that every charging decision is also a safety decision, with real consequences for families across Florida. In Congress I am working to strengthen partnerships with law enforcement, expand programs that keep violent offenders off our streets, and demand transparency and accountability from prosecutors' offices. Protecting our communities and restoring trust in the justice system must always remain our top priority."

"Both as a father and a prosecutor, the actions, or lack thereof, of State Attorney Worrell are antithetical to our way of law and continue to place and keep our most vulnerable in danger's way," said Statewide Prosecutor Brad McVay. "Under Attorney General Uthmeier's leadership, and my direction of the Office of Statewide Prosecution, we will hold this perpetrator accountable to the fullest."

The incident occurred on August 16, 2025, at Kit Land Nelson Park in Apopka, where a father and his two-year-old son witnessed the lewd behavior. According to witness statements, video evidence, and police reports, Kevin Chapman masturbated on a bench near a splash pad filled with children. The arresting officer and the park manager both confirmed the conduct, and Chapman was taken into custody. Despite overwhelming evidence, State Attorney Worrell's office declined file charges and did not pursue pretrial detention. Florida statute defines such conduct as felony lewd and lascivious exhibition when committed in the presence of children under sixteen.

This refusal is part of a troubling pattern. Just recently, State Attorney Worrell's office dismissed a case involving a 47-year-old man, Thomas Dolgos, who possessed and distributed child sexual abuse material-including infants and toddlers-even though the case was already being prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution. After Worrell's office dropped all charges, the defendant fled the state. Thanks to swift action by law enforcement, he was arrested at the Canadian border, extradited, and is now facing dozens of additional CSAM charges.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

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