Charges Dropped for Boy in Shocking Perp Walk by Sheriff Chitwood

Charges Dropped for Boy in Shocking Perp Walk by Sheriff Chitwood

The saga of young Carlo “Kingston” Dorelli, an 11-year-old boy arrested for making threats against a Port Orange middle school, has taken a strange turn. This troubling incident began with the Volusia Sheriff’s Office arresting Dorelli for allegedly threatening to shoot up the school. The arrest was made on September 16, 2024, after an anonymous tip was submitted via Fortify Florida, signaling discussions among students concerning violent plans.

Captured on video, Dorelli was publicly named, shackled, and perp-walked amid much media attention. The image of the young boy in handcuffs has haunted his family ever since. The charges against him included making a written threat of a mass shooting, a second-degree felony. If convicted, he could have faced up to 15 years in prison and a hefty fine of $10,000. In a striking move, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Mike Chitwood introduced a controversial policy on September 13, 2024, holding parents accountable and releasing the photographs of juvenile offenders upon arrest. This policy aimed to bring attention to the severity of juvenile crime, but it has also raised concerns regarding its implications for young lives.

The Charges and Their Fallout

The investigation was no small feat, costing over $21,000, a hefty amount that may eventually be passed on to parents of offenders. Dorelli, in addition to being arrested, reportedly displayed Airsoft guns, swords, and other items during a FaceTime chat, leading to accusations of creating a „hit list.“ Interestingly, although Dorelli maintained that it was all a joke, the gravity of the situation led Sheriff Chitwood to affirm the seriousness of such threats: “It’s not a game,” he stressed. The consequences soon escalated when another boy known as “Juan” was also arrested for sending threats related to the incident, highlighting how quickly a situation can spiral out of control.

By March 26, 2025, the charges against Dorelli were dropped after he reached a deferred prosecution agreement. Nonetheless, the damage had been done; Dorelli spent 12 days in detention alongside older boys accused of violent crimes. This experience has left lasting scars, as his mother revealed he now struggles with anxiety and fear regarding police and how he is perceived publicly. Dorelli’s plight showcases the real-world implications of juvenile offenses, where a moment of poor judgment can result in lifetime repercussions.

Perp Walking and Its Impact

Sheriff Chitwood’s perp-walking campaign is one that has drawn both support and criticism. Proponents argue that it effectively discourages threats made by minors, claiming that there has been a decline in such incidents within Volusia County since the policy was enacted. The sheriff himself received 54 tips in relation to the threats and noted the department is diligently working to combat them, citing an alarming rise in school-related threats across Florida. As noted in reports, Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons has acknowledged an uptick in school threats this academic year, though he has not yet adopted the perp-walking approach.

The public nature of these incidents is indelibly linked to the sheriff’s policy, which some say unjustly stigmatizes young individuals, potentially causing lifelong anxiety, as seen in Dorelli’s case. Meanwhile, the ongoing incidents prompt broader discussions about juvenile crime and how best to address the behavior of minors. Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden points out that responses should consider the severity of offenses as well as the maturity of the juvenile involved.

As the community reflects on these events, one can’t help but wonder: how far is too far when it comes to deterring crime? The balance between maintaining public safety and ensuring children are not unfairly judged by acts of folly is a tightrope walk fraught with challenges. What’s next for Dorelli and other youths facing similar circumstances? Only time will tell.