Below is an official statement from the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General James Usmier wrote to the prosecutor of the ninth Judicial Circuit, Monique Worrell, the 9th Judicial Circuit, after arresting Kevin Chapman, 47, and Thomas Drugos, 47, who were arrested for being arrested on a park bench in front of the child.
“Central Florida is better than a state attorney who prioritizes guilt against protecting innocents,” Attorney General James Usmier said. “Once again, the fitness issues for Monique Worrell, who holds a public trust position, are inevitable, and whether these dismissals were attributed to malicious or incompetent, they couldn’t make excuses.
“We would like to thank Attorney General Usmeyer and the leaders of prosecutor McVay across the state as they tackle the serious public safety risks that arise when violent offenders are released into our community,” Rep. Laurel Lee said. “Domestic violence and gun crime are not minor crimes. They are clear indicators of the escalation of danger. As a former prosecutor and judge, I know that every charging decision is also a real outcome for Florida families. The system must always remain our number one priority.”
“As my father and prosecutor, the state attorney Worrell’s case, or lack thereof, is contrary to our law and continues to be the most vulnerable in a dangerous way,” statewide prosecutor Brad McVay said. “Under the leadership of Attorney General Usmeyer and my direction from the prosecutor’s office throughout the state, we will be held liable to this perpetrator to the fullest extent possible.”
The incident occurred on August 16, 2025 at Kitland Nelson Park, Apopka, where his father and his 2-year-old son witnessed indecent behaviour. According to witness statements, video evidence and police reports, Kevin Chapman masturbated on a bench near a splash pad filled with children. The arrest officer and the park manager both confirmed the act, and Chapman was taken into custody. Despite overwhelming evidence, the office of state attorney Worrell refused to file claims and did not pursue pretrial custody. Florida law defines acts such as felony or perverted exhibitions when committed in front of a child under the age of 16.
This rejection is part of a troublesome pattern. Just recently, the Worrell Attorney’s office dismissed a lawsuit involving Thomas Drugos, a 47-year-old man. Thomas Drugos owned and distributed material on child sexual abuse, including infants and toddlers, but the case had already been charged by the Attorney General’s State Prosecutor’s Office. After Worrell’s office dropped all charges, the defendant fled the state. Thanks to prompt action by law enforcement, he was arrested and handed over at the Canadian border and is currently facing dozens of CSAM charges.
A copy of the letter can be found here.
