ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – On Friday, State Attorney Andrew Bain released a comprehensive annual report detailing the achievements, initiatives, and future goals of his office over the past year. Key highlights include a 93% conviction rate in 31 homicide trials, the establishment of a Violent Crimes Unit, and a focus on community engagement for crime prevention.

Key Points:

• 31 homicide cases went to trial with an 93% conviction rate, resulting in 18 life sentences.
• 20 sex crimes cases went to trial with an 80% conviction rate, resulting in eight life sentences.
• The Violent Crimes Unit prosecuted seven cases with an 85% conviction rate.
• Restaffing nearly 99% of the 163 prosecutorial positions, with starting salaries increased to $68,000.
• Stronger collaborations with local partners and law enforcement for crime prevention.

The full report is available on the State Attorney’s website at sao9th.com.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Facing serious legal challenges, State Representative Carolina Amesty is determined to clear her name as she confronts four third-degree felony charges related to forgery and improper notary practices. Amesty surrendered to officials at the Orange County Jail. The 29-year-old lawmaker faces charges including two counts of forgery, one count of illegally notarizing her own signature, and one count of falsely certifying a signature as a notary.

Amesty’s legal troubles stem from her role as an administrator at Central Christian University, a private institution founded by her father, Juan Amesty. The allegations involve notarizing a document with a forged signature, which was part of the school’s licensing submissions to the Florida Department of Education. The controversy, first reported by the Orlando Sentinel, triggered a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation and ultimately led to her indictment by a grand jury on August 28.

Despite the gravity of the charges, Amesty’s campaign swiftly responded with a statement asserting her innocence and labeling the prosecution as politically motivated. “This prosecution, initiated just a few weeks prior to absentee ballots being dropped, is based on misleading reports from a partisan newspaper,” Amesty stated. She expressed confidence in a swift trial and public vindication, urging for a quick resolution.

Political responses have been sharply divided. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried has called for Amesty’s resignation, questioning her ability to serve effectively while under indictment.

On the other hand, Republican House Speaker-designate Daniel Perez emphasized that the charges appear unrelated to Amesty’s duties as a state representative and supported her right to defend herself.

Amesty, who won her House District 45 seat with 53% of the vote in 2022, faces a tough reelection battle this November against former Disney executive Leonard Spencer. Her district, which leaned slightly Democratic in the 2020 Presidential Election but supported Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022, is expected to be one of the most competitive legislative races in Florida this cycle.

Despite the mounting pressure, Amesty has signaled her intention to remain in the race, bolstered by nearly $123,000 in campaign funds. She continues to rally her supporters, sharing a verse from Psalms on social media and retweeting a post from Donald Trump about political persecution.

As the legal process unfolds, the race for House District 45 remains a closely watched contest with significant implications for Florida’s political landscape.