Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has released a video criticizing Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell’s office for what he described as “sweetheart” deals for violent offenders, sparking debate over recent sentencing decisions. One case involves Yaxiel Lebron-Flores, who was 15 years old when he ran a red light in a stolen SUV in April 2023, killing 23-year-old Christian Romero as he drove home from work.Now 18, Lebron-Flores was sentenced to less than six years in prison, despite facing up to 15 years. Romero’s family, from Flagler County, expressed their disapproval of the plea deal during an interview last month. Uthmeier also criticized the handling of Marcus Anderson’s case. Anderson, who was 18 at the time of a deadly 2024 shooting in Orange County, was initially charged with first-degree murder, which could have made him eligible for the death penalty. However, prosecutors downgraded the charge to second-degree murder, and Anderson was sentenced to four years in prison. “Monique Worrell’s misjudgments are far too numerous, and her conduct is not beyond oversight by the state or the public. State Attorney Worrell’s obvious pattern or practice of leniency on violent and deadly criminals must end,” Uthmeier said. Another case mentioned in the video involves Savion Lambert, who was 21 years old during a deadly 2024 shooting in Winter Garden. Former State Attorney Andrew Bain, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis after suspending Worrell, charged Lambert with manslaughter instead of murder. Carlos Perez, the father of the shooting victim, filed a motion calling for a judicial review of Lambert’s 20-year prison sentence. In response to Uthmeier’s video, Worrell issued a statement, saying, “While the Attorney General sits on social media offering critiques, this office is on the ground, working alongside community partners to identify real solutions to the public safety challenges his commentary does nothing to solve.”

ORLANDO, Fla. —

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has released a video criticizing Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell’s office for what he described as “sweetheart” deals for violent offenders, sparking debate over recent sentencing decisions.

One case involves Yaxiel Lebron-Flores, who was 15 years old when he ran a red light in a stolen SUV in April 2023, killing 23-year-old Christian Romero as he drove home from work.

Now 18, Lebron-Flores was sentenced to less than six years in prison, despite facing up to 15 years.

Romero’s family, from Flagler County, expressed their disapproval of the plea deal during an interview last month.

Uthmeier also criticized the handling of Marcus Anderson’s case. Anderson, who was 18 at the time of a deadly 2024 shooting in Orange County, was initially charged with first-degree murder, which could have made him eligible for the death penalty.

However, prosecutors downgraded the charge to second-degree murder, and Anderson was sentenced to four years in prison.

“Monique Worrell’s misjudgments are far too numerous, and her conduct is not beyond oversight by the state or the public. State Attorney Worrell’s obvious pattern or practice of leniency on violent and deadly criminals must end,” Uthmeier said.

Another case mentioned in the video involves Savion Lambert, who was 21 years old during a deadly 2024 shooting in Winter Garden.

Former State Attorney Andrew Bain, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis after suspending Worrell, charged Lambert with manslaughter instead of murder. Carlos Perez, the father of the shooting victim, filed a motion calling for a judicial review of Lambert’s 20-year prison sentence.

In response to Uthmeier’s video, Worrell issued a statement, saying, “While the Attorney General sits on social media offering critiques, this office is on the ground, working alongside community partners to identify real solutions to the public safety challenges his commentary does nothing to solve.”