Florida Governor Extends Attorney Assignment for Dolan Darling Case

FL Governor Executive Orders

Published March 2nd, 2026

Detected March 4th, 2026

Summary

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has extended the executive assignment of the State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit for an additional year, until April 3, 2027. This extension pertains to the ongoing case against Dolan Darling, a.k.a. Sean Hector Smith, as the assigned duties have not yet been completed.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

This Executive Order (EO 26-53) extends the previously assigned duties of the State Attorney for Florida's Fifth Judicial Circuit concerning the case against Dolan Darling (a.k.a. Sean Hector Smith). The extension is for one year, running until April 3, 2027, because the assigned duties remain incomplete as the case is still pending.

This action reaffirms Executive Order 17-82 and its subsequent extensions. The Assigned State Attorney must notify the Governor by March 3, 2027, if further time is required. This is a procedural extension of an existing assignment, not a new investigation or enforcement action, and does not impose new obligations on regulated entities outside of the legal system.

What to do next

Note the extension of the State Attorney's assignment until April 3, 2027.
Be aware that the State Attorney must notify the Governor by March 3, 2027, if additional time is needed.

Source document (simplified)

STATE OF FL OR I D A OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 26-53 (Extension of State Attorney Executive Assignment) WHEREAS, the Honorable WILLIAM M. GLADSON, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida, was previously assigned by Executive Order 17-82, as extended by Executive Orders 18-100, 19-61, 20-60, 21-39, 22-94, 23-98, 24-58, and 25-39, to represent the State of Florida concerning charges pending against Dolan Darling a.k.a. Sean Hector Smith; and WHEREAS, the Assigned State Attorney has advised the Governor that the duties required by the previous executive assignment have not yet been completed as the case is still pending; and WHEREAS, the Assigned State Attorney has further advised the Governor that an extension of this assignment is necessary in order to complete the assigned duties; and WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the State of Florida and of the ends of justice that the assignment of the Assigned State Attorney be continued with respect to the above matters, 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: Section 1. Executive Order 17-82, as extended by Executive Orders 18-100, 19-61, 20-60, 21-39, 22-94, 23-98, 24-58, and 25-39, is reaffirmed and the executive assignment is extended for an additional period of one (1) year, to and including April 3, 2027.

Section 2. The Assigned State Attorney shall notify the Governor on or before March 3, 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. ATTEST: ~ r--.} = CT>::x >:::0 I N -0:x.l:"".. co -·:'.(-~~~ = M'·"~• I " ti,..t.>'~ 'i!~·-