Florida Invokes Child Sexual Battery Death Penalty Law Against Filipino

Florida prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against a Filipino man accused of sexually abusing a young child, marking one of the state's most serious criminal prosecutions under a law allowing capital punishment for certain child sexual battery cases.

The Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office announced that it has filed a formal Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty against 41-year-old Schubert Navarroza Macarat, who has been indicted on 47 felony charges, including 12 counts of sexual battery on a child under the age of 12.

Macarat has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The decision to pursue the death penalty is based on a 2023 Florida law that authorizes prosecutors to seek capital punishment for defendants convicted of sexual battery against a child younger than 12.

State Attorney Bill Gladson said the alleged crimes were so heinous that his office believes no other punishment is appropriate if Macarat is found guilty.

According to investigators, the case began on March 22, 2026, after a child disclosed years of alleged sexual abuse to authorities. During the investigation, detectives recovered a 4-terabyte hard drive containing at least 3,000 videos, including more than 700 videos identified by investigators as child sexual abuse material.

A Lake County grand jury later returned a true bill of indictment charging Macarat with 47 separate felony offenses.

Macarat remains jailed without bond at the Lake County Detention Facility as the case moves forward.

The charges against Macarat are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.