Vandals Targeted Mike Caruso Campaign Billboard
A campaign sign for the candidate, who faces child sex abuse charges, was defaced in West Boca.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Vandals defaced a campaign billboard for Mike Caruso in West Boca by removing the candidate's head and writing, "Child Abuser!" on the sign. Caruso remains on the November general election ballot despite facing five felony child sex abuse charges.
Why it matters
The vandalism follows the recent arrest of Caruso on felony charges. While Governor Ron DeSantis has suspended Caruso from office, he maintains his innocence and remains a candidate in the upcoming election.
Mike Caruso currently faces five felony child sex abuse charges and remains on the November general election ballot. It is currently unknown who is responsible for the recent vandalism at the intersection of Palmetto Park Road and 441.
The players
Mike Caruso
He is a political candidate currently facing five felony child sex abuse charges who was suspended from office by the Governor.
Ron DeSantis
He is the Governor of Florida who officially suspended Mike Caruso from office following his arrest.
The details
The billboard located at the intersection of Palmetto Park Road and 441 was targeted on Monday. The vandalism involved cutting the candidate's head out of the display, and the deadline for replacing candidate names has already passed following the primary election audit.
Timeline
The campaign billboard was targeted by vandals on Monday.
Mike Caruso remains on the general election ballot for November.
Legal Context
The situation follows strict Florida election statutes that prevent parties from replacing candidates once the primary election audit period has concluded. This legal constraint keeps Caruso on the ballot despite his ongoing criminal case and suspension from office.
Local residents in West Boca may encounter increased police presence near campaign signage following the vandalism. Authorities have not issued specific security advisories, but the incident highlights the charged nature of the local election season.
The takeaway
Voters will ultimately decide the candidate's fate at the polls this November despite the ongoing legal developments. Residents can report suspicious activity near campaign materials to local law enforcement to help prevent further vandalism.
What happens next
The general election is scheduled for November, where Caruso will appear on the ballot.
Further reading
For more on how local officials are navigating the legal landscape, visit our Sex Crimes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WPEC.
