State Attorney Andrew Bain, who replaced Monique Worrell, creates new violent crimes unit
ORLANDO, Fla. – State Attorney Andrew Bain of the Ninth Judicial Circuit announced the creation of the Violent Crimes Unit on Tuesday in a push to further crack down on crimes like attempted murder, kidnapping, carjackings, home invasions and armed robberies.
Bain replaced former State Attorney Monique Worrell, a Democrat who was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis in August 2023 over dereliction of duty.
“Our office is determined to meet the most violent criminals with our most aggressive prosecutors,” Bain said. “The Violent Crimes Unit is made up of five experienced prosecutors who have strong track records of prosecuting violent felony offenders.”
Bain said the unit will “disrupt violent activity” in the district, which encompasses Orange and Osceola County.
“People deserve to live in a society without the threat of becoming a victim of violent crime and that is what we hope to accomplish with this unit,” he said.
Bain’s office said that the new unit is operating under its Felony Bureau, with a total of nine units.
His office also touted hiring 25 assistant state attorneys since taking office in the latter half of 2023, aiming to resolve the experienced prosecutor “shortage.”
DeSantis tapped Bain for the position in lieu of suspending Worrell last year. Bain was previously selected by DeSantis to be a judge in Orange County, and was prior to that an assistant state attorney in the Ninth Circuit since 2013.
The governor’s office said that the top factors in removing Worrell included avoiding minimum mandatory sentencing for gun crimes and drug trafficking offenses, while limiting charges for child pornography and ignoring “valid and applicable” sentencing enhancements.
“It is my duty as governor to ensure that the laws enacted by our duly elected legislature are followed,” DeSantis said last August.
“Monique Worrell’s administration of criminal justice in the ninth circuit has been clearly and fundamentally derelict, so as to constitute both neglect of duty and incompetence,” he said.
While Bain currently occupies the seat, Worrell is running for reelection.
Elections for state attorneys are held every four years. Worrell won her state attorney election in 2020 by a 66.6% to 33.4%, where her opponent had no party affiliation.
Bain is a Republican, and worked to make sweeping changes during his first month in office last year.
Bain had said his top priorities were restoring order, faith in the law, and the relationships with his fellow justice partners and law enforcement.
