Executive Assignment of State Attorney in Massingill Case

FL Governor Executive Orders

Filed March 2nd, 2026

Detected March 4th, 2026

Summary

Florida Governor DeSantis has assigned State Attorney Monique H. Worrell of the Ninth Judicial Circuit to handle the investigation and prosecution of the Christopher C. Massingill case, including a violation of probation and related motions. This assignment is effective immediately and will last for one year, until March 2, 2027.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has issued Executive Order 26-41, assigning State Attorney Monique H. Worrell (Ninth Judicial Circuit) to take over the investigation and prosecution of all matters concerning Christopher C. Massingill. This action is necessitated by the recusal of State Attorney William Scheiner (Eighteenth Judicial Circuit) due to a conflict of interest and his prior involvement in a violation of probation case related to Massingill. The order is effective immediately and grants the assigned State Attorney and her staff full authority to proceed.

This executive assignment is for a period of one year, concluding on March 2, 2027, with the possibility of extension upon notification to the Governor. All residents and public officials within the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit are directed to cooperate with the assigned State Attorney. This order ensures the continued prosecution of the case and avoids any appearance of impropriety. Legal professionals involved in the case should be aware of the change in assigned prosecution authority and the scope of the assignment.

What to do next

Review Executive Order 26-41 for details on the assignment of State Attorney Monique H. Worrell to the Massingill case.
Ensure all necessary cooperation and assistance is provided to the Assigned State Attorney as directed by the order.
Note the assignment period is one year, ending March 2, 2027, with a notification deadline for extension by February 2, 2027.

Source document (simplified)

STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 26-41 (State Attorney Executive Assignment) WHEREAS, the Honorable WILLIAM SCHEINER, State Attorney for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, has advised Governor RON DESANTIS that Christopher C. Massingill has a pending violation of probation and has filed a pro se motion to quash the arrest warrant and a prose motion to vacate/dismiss charges; and WHEREAS, the Honorable MONIQUE H. WORRELL, State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida, handled the previous violation of probation case under Executive Order 24-252; and WHEREAS, the Honorable WILLIAM SCHEINER has also advised the Governor that the original conflict continues to exist and to avoid a conflict of interest or any appearance of impropriety, has voluntarily disqualified himself and has requested the executive assignment of another State Attorney regarding the investigation and prosecution of this case and all related matters regarding Christopher C. Massingill; and WHEREAS, the Honorable MONIQUE H. WORRELL, State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida, has agreed to accept an executive assignment in this matter; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the State of Florida and of the ends of justice that the Honorable MONIQUE H. WORRELL discharge the duties of the Honorable WILLIAM SCHEINER, pursuant to section 27.14, Florida Statutes. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida, in obedience to my solemn constitutional duty to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed," and pursuant to the

Constitution and Laws of the State of Florida, issue the following Executive Order, effective immediately: Section 1. The Honorable MONIQUE H. WORRELL, State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida, referred to as the "Assigned State Attorney," is assigned to discharge the duties of the Honorable WILLIAM SCHEINER, State Attorney for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, regarding the investigation and prosecution of this case and all related matters regarding Christopher C. Massingill. Section 2. The Assigned State Attorney or one or more Assistant State Attorneys and Investigators, who have been designated by the Assigned State Attorney, shall proceed immediately to the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, and are vested with the authority to perform the duties prescribed herein. Section 3. All residents of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit are requested, and all public officials are directed, to cooperate and render whatever assistance is necessary to the Assigned State Attorney, so that justice may be served. Section 4. The period of this Executive Assignment shall be for one (1) year, to and including March 2, 2027.

Section 5. The Assigned State Attorney shall notify the Governor on or before February 2, 2027, if additional time is required. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, this 2nd day of March, 2026. ' Cl r,..:, rrr =::5-~•i r-..):::=J:t>- Cl" l -.--;:3: ~----~:,;:,,,, -s, i-,,::·l;;o ..,. f;~E~ I r· N U') ····, v~1 r- '""'O fT:.:::::::J: rn. 1"!7,, (J).z::- Ci..,,~ r::r> -j -.I fTl