- December 4, 2025
The man recently extradited to Flagler County to face child sexual assault charges has entered a not guilty plea to the charges.
Kermit Booth, 72, was 56-59 years old when he allegedly sexually assaulted a 6-9 years old girl between the years of 2006 and 2009, according to the original sworn complaint from the victim. Booth was recently extradited to the custody of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 1
Booth was arrested on Aug. 1 in Macon County, North Carolina as a fugitive from Flagler County. Booth was wanted for two counts of sexual battery on a person of 12 years of age, with a bond of $500,000, a FCSO press release said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued the extradition order for Booth on Aug. 20. Booth is facing life in prison if convicted. He submitted his plea on Sept. 4 and his case is being heard by Flagler County Judge Dawn Nichols.
The victim first reached out to the FCSO in 2015, where she told deputies Booth molested her between the years of 2006 and 2009. She told deputies that Booth forced her to perform oral sex on him and forced it on her, the complaint said. In 2023, the victim reached out to the FCSO again after Booth messaged her on social media.
With the messages as new evidence, FCSO’s Major Case Unit relaunched the investigation in 2023, working to corroborate the victim and her mother’s statements, a FCSO press release said. The FCSO Digital Forensics Unit was able to identify new evidence against Booth in February 2025, allowing for FCSO to obtain a warrant in July.
Booth was temporarily released from North Carolina law enforcement custody on a $35,000 bond.
Sheriff Rick Staly was appointed in DeSantis’ extradition request to “receive, convey, and transport Booth from North Carolina to Florida to be held accountable for his crimes,” a press release said.
Staly and FCSO deputies traveled to Franklin, North Carolina to take custody of Booth on Sept. 5 after he was rearrested by North Carolina law enforcement officials in compliance with the extradition order. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson provided the FCSO a forestry aircraft for Booth’s extradition.
Booth was booked into the Flagler County jail on the evening of Sept. 5.
“I hope he enjoyed his flight back to Florida because it’ll probably be the last flight he takes,” Staly said. “Hopefully, he’ll be spending the rest of his life in prison.”
He is being held on $500,000 bond.
Staly thanked DeSantis, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, Simpson and Macon County Sheriff Holbrooks for their assistance.
“While our efforts today cannot erase the deep emotional scars that this pervert caused, it is my hope that his victim may now begin the healing process knowing that justice is finally coming,” he said.
