(Lake County, FL) Today, State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit announces the grand jury indictment of 41-year-old Schubert Navarroza Macarat for crimes against a minor child. Given the severity of the crime and its impact on the victim, the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office has filed a notice that it intends to seek the death penalty pursuant to Florida Statutes 794.011(2)(a) and 921.1425.

“This kind of criminal depravity demands only one response from the State. Today, I filed Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty in the event the defendant is found guilty,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “We are seeking to prematurely end this defendant’s life because the crimes he committed are so heinous that no other punishment is fitting.”

On March 22, 2026, in the early evening hours, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call for service regarding a past sexual offense. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers spoke with the caller, who reported that a child had just disclosed long-term, ongoing sexual abuse.

During a forensic interview with the child, the child confirmed the abuse. Additional information was also obtained, leading to the collection of more evidence. Detectives recovered a 4-terabyte hard drive with at least 3,000 videos – 700 of which have been confirmed to be child sexual abuse material.

A grand jury was convened yesterday to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to charge Macarat. The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment for a total of 47 separate felonies, including 12 counts of Sexual Battery upon a Child less than 12 years of age.

Macarat was arrested and remains in custody on no-bond status at the Lake County Detention Facility.

Assistant State Attorney Shannon Schlarf is prosecuting the case.

Published on 5/27/2026.