TALLAHASSEE, FL – Today, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Orange County Sheriff John Mina, and State Attorney Andrew Bain announced the filing of criminal charges against Deandre Eugene Florence for the 2018 murder of a 15-year-old student in Orange County. The charges include first-degree murder and racketeering. This action comes after former State Attorneys Monique Worrell and Aramis Ayala declined to pursue the case, prompting a push from the victim’s family and local law enforcement for the Office of Statewide Prosecution to intervene.
Moody emphasized the importance of prosecuting criminals to protect the public, criticizing previous lax criminal justice policies. She vowed to work closely with law enforcement and State Attorney Bain to ensure justice for the victim, Alex Vargas.
The investigation revealed Florence’s involvement in a criminal enterprise engaged in racketeering activities, including auto thefts, burglaries, murders, and an armed robbery. This group used stolen vehicles to commit crimes, targeting individuals and businesses to steal electronic devices for resale.
In December 2018, this enterprise targeted Alejandro Vargas Martinez, leading to his fatal shooting during an attempted robbery of his cellphone while he was walking to school.
Despite a strong investigation and pleas from the victim’s family, Worrell and Ayala initially did not file charges. Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Worrell in August for failing to prosecute crimes in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, noting her high rate of case dismissals compared to other Florida prosecutors.
Florence now faces multiple charges, including racketeering, first-degree murder, and grand theft. State Attorney Bain, collaborating with Attorney General Moody’s office, has taken up the case with Statewide Prosecutor Richard Mantei leading the prosecution.