Press Releases
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.
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 granted.
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.
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 start with empowering communities, by putting the responsibility for oversight in the hands of the people.
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 Overdose Unit, who tracked dealers throughout the community and made arrests on those causing a great deal of harm in our Circuit. As overdose deaths continue to rise at an unprecedented rate, it is more important than ever that we come together as a community to stop the spread of dangerous drugs such as Fentanyl.
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.
ORLANDO, FL – This morning, our office filed charges against former Deputy Sheriff Ayler Cruz for perjuryin official proceeding, perjury when not in an official proceeding, and battery. It is important to note that as aresult of this incident, Ayler Cruz is no longer with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The State Attorney’s Office is grateful for the cooperation of Sheriff John Mina and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office regardingthis matter.
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 the most serious and difficult issues within the criminal justice system. I have promised to treat decisions on whether to seek it with extreme care, and I am currently in the process of forming a panel and developing a procedure to review every capital-eligible case that comes before my panel.
ORLANDO, FL – The outgoing State Attorney reviewed decisions made by her employees who worked under her supervision and informed us of the following