Florida’s Governor has zero tolerance for politicians who prey on children.
This week proved he’s willing to use his executive power to protect innocent kids.
And Ron DeSantis delivered one brutal blow that left child predators caught with their pants down.
Governor acts swiftly against accused child predators
Governor Ron DeSantis didn’t waste any time cleaning house this week when two separate Florida commissioners were arrested on charges involving minors.
On Monday, DeSantis issued Executive Order 25-151, immediately suspending Fort Pierce Commissioner James A. Taylor from office after Taylor was arrested on 24 felony charges related to child exploitation.¹
The same day, DeSantis signed Executive Order 25-152, suspending Holmes County Commissioner Brandon Newsom for unlawful bail bond activity and aiding an unlicensed bail bond agent.²
But it’s the Taylor case that has parents across Florida demanding justice.
Taylor stands accused of sending nude images of himself to a 12-year-old girl in Illinois through Snapchat, with the investigation beginning in August 2024 when Illinois police received a report from the girl’s mother.³
The sickening details behind Taylor’s arrest
The investigation started in August 2024 when a Police Department in Illinois received a report from the mother of a 13-year-old girl who discovered her daughter had been contacted by an adult male via Snapchat.
“Over time, the conversations became sexually explicit, and the suspect allegedly sent multiple nude images to the minor,” the Sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post.
Illinois detectives tracked the suspect’s online activity back to St. Lucie County, Florida, which led them to Commissioner Taylor.
The charges against Taylor include six counts of transmission of materials harmful to minors by electronic device, six counts of transfer or display of obscenity to a minor, six counts of harmful communication to a minor, and four counts of lewd computer solicitation.⁵
Taylor was arrested on July 24 and remains locked up on a $360,000 bond.
Political leaders demand swift action
State Representative Toby Overdorf, a member of the Governor’s Task Force Against Human Trafficking, didn’t mince words about the severity of Taylor’s alleged crimes.
“If this 12-year-old hadn’t gone to their parents, they may have gone down the road of heading towards sex trafficking,” Overdorf warned.⁶
After DeSantis acted, Overdorf praised the Governor’s decisive action on social media.
Overdorf praised the Governor’s action, writing on X: “Thank you @GovRonDeSantis for removing this predator.”⁷
The timing here wasn’t coincidental – DeSantis suspended Taylor the same day the disgraced commissioner submitted his resignation letter from jail, but the Governor wasn’t going to wait until Saturday for the resignation to take effect.
DeSantis uses full constitutional authority
Under section 112.51 of the Florida Statutes, the Governor has the authority to suspend elected municipal officers who are indicted or charged with felony crimes.
DeSantis made it crystal clear in his executive order that Taylor’s continued service posed a threat to public trust.
DeSantis stated in his executive order that Taylor’s continued service was not “in the best interests of the residents of the city of Fort Pierce.”⁸
The suspension blocks Taylor from performing any official duties, receiving compensation, or enjoying any privileges of public office until further executive action or legal resolution.
This represents exactly the kind of decisive leadership Florida families expect from their Governor.
Holmes County commissioner also gets the boot
DeSantis didn’t stop with Taylor – he also dropped the hammer on Holmes County Commissioner Brandon Newsom the same day.
The charges against Newsom hit on July 15 – unlawful bail bond activity and helping an unlicensed bail bond agent run operations through his private business.⁹
DeSantis didn’t sugarcoat his reasoning. The executive order bluntly stated that keeping Newsom around wasn’t “in the best interest of Holmes County residents.”
County Attorney Nathan Nolin broke it down simply: Newsom’s seat is now empty, and DeSantis gets to pick who fills it temporarily.¹⁰
DeSantis draws the line in the sand
Here’s what Monday’s double-header really tells you about how Florida operates under DeSantis.
Other governors might let these situations drag out for months while lawyers and PR teams figure out damage control. Not in Florida.
The timing wasn’t accidental either. DeSantis moved the same day Taylor tried to resign from jail – but the Governor wasn’t about to let this predator control the timeline.
Think about what Taylor allegedly did. A 12-year-old girl trusted an adult, and he exploited that trust in the most vile way possible.
But here’s the bigger picture: DeSantis just sent every corrupt politician in Florida a crystal-clear message. Cross the line with children, and you’re done. No waiting periods, no political considerations, no second chances.
The contrast with other states couldn’t be starker. While politicians elsewhere get to ride out scandals and collect paychecks, Florida operates differently.
Both commissioners now face their legal battles as private citizens – exactly where child predators belong.
Both commissioners now face the full weight of Florida’s justice system, but they’ll do so without the protection and privileges of public office.
¹ Gabrielle Russon, “Gov. DeSantis suspends James Taylor after arrest for sending sexually explicit images to child,” Florida Politics, July 29, 2025.
² Stephanie Pitts and Grace Velez, “Governor DeSantis signs executive order to suspend Holmes County Commissioner,” WMBB, July 29, 2025.
³ Malcolm Shields, “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspends Fort Pierce Commissioner James Taylor,” WPBF 25 News, July 30, 2025.
⁴ St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Facebook post, July 2025.
⁵ Skyler Shepard, “DeSantis suspends Fort Pierce commissioner after 24 felony counts involving minors,” CBS12, July 29, 2025.
⁶ Ibid.
⁷ Russon, “Gov. DeSantis suspends James Taylor after arrest for sending sexually explicit images to child.”
⁸ Executive Order 25-151, Office of the Governor of Florida, July 28, 2025.
⁹ WJHG Newsroom, “Governor DeSantis suspends Holmes County Commissioner,” WJHG, July 29, 2025.
¹⁰ Pitts and Velez, “Governor DeSantis signs executive order to suspend Holmes County Commissioner.”
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Author: rgcory
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