By-Line: Tonya Woodworth, Director of Public Information, FCSO
On August 20, 2025, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an extradition request to the Governor of North Carolina for Florida fugitive Kermit Booth, 72, of Franklin, North Carolina. Booth had been arrested on August 1, 2025, in Macon County, North Carolina, as a fugitive from justice on a Flagler County warrant for two counts of sexual battery on a person less than 12 years of age with a Florida bond of $500,000. This is a capital crime with a penalty of life in prison in Florida. A Macon County, N.C., magistrate set Booth’s bond at $35,000, and he posted bond and was released by Macon County, N.C., authorities.
In Governor Ron DeSantis’ request, he appointed Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly to receive, convey, and transport Booth from North Carolina to Florida to be held accountable for his crimes.
“North Carolina said they would not hold this pervert for us unless we got a governor’s warrant, so we got one,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I applaud Governor Ron DeSantis for quickly issuing this extradition request, which asks North Carolina authorities to turn him over to my custody. No one is above the law, and we will not sit back and watch anyone use another state as a safe haven to hide from justice in Florida. I will always stand with our victims and fight for justice. Justice might be delayed, but with the cooperation of North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, Booth will soon be sitting in the Green Roof Inn [aka county jail].”
Certainly hope Gov Stein complies. If he does not he is as useless as Cooper was.
He deserves more than life 35000 bond for capital crime in another state NC justice system hard at work 🥲
Amen brother
That animal he needs to get exactly what he deserves!
Good job Florida.
Tony Woodworth I want to thank you for giving us this information. I applaud Governor DeSantis, and everybody involved that’s making sure this criminal stays in jail in Florida please give us more updates.
Second day after Florida took 20 days to issue the warrant and you criticize NC? Get real
The article clearly report the Governor is complying as he should. You seem to seek things to complain about
Cooper was definitely the worst Governor in North Carolina history.. Stein needs to step up in this matter and cooperate with Desantis
Who knows what a liberal government will do!
Another MAGA pedophile!
Pls let us know if NC Governor doesn’t want to cooperate
This is horrible if he is guilty without a doubt he should get the maximum penalty which in NC is never enough there should not be a bond so they can’t continue to molest and kill the spirits of children! Every time I see an article on this I feel like nobody is protecting their kids 🤬😫😟
North Carolina is a state, but cannot speak to anyone. Who from North Carolina said we Wii not hold this pervert without a governors warrant?