Bay County Attorney Faces Direct Suspension Amid Not Guilty Plea For Charges Of Abuse

A Florida Bar local attorney stood accused for se**** abusing minor victims between 16 and 17 years of age. The suspect was arrested in January 2025 by deputies from the Bay County Sheriff’s Department.

Records of employment show that the attorney was working at the Florida Guardian Ad Litem Office. The suspect’s employer was a firm that provided lawyers for children. It focused on the best interests of children in legal cases when those interests did not align with those of their parents.

Attorney Christopher Butler has been accused of se**** battery of familial custodial authority. An April 20 case filing in the Bay County Criminal Court reveals that the suspect was suspended from the law firm where he worked.

The Florida Bar will also request further professional discipline from the state Supreme Court. It may result in Butler facing disbarment from all levels of practicing law.

Meanwhile, the Florida Guardian Ad Litem Office continues to uphold its core value towards the protection of children.

Their authorized website reads “Through the collaboration of a multi-disciplinary team that always includes a Guardian ad Litem Attorney, child welfare professional, and hopefully a trained volunteer or pro bono attorney from the child’s community, our team provides quality, independent legal representation for abused, neglected, and abandoned children while assisting the child in expressing their needs and wishes.”

Since the suspect’s arrest, no bond has been granted for his release from custody. Butler’s sentencing will take place following the criminal proceedings. The suspect initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

However, a recent filing states that the suspect will change his plea at a May 29 hearing. After that, the accused attorney is scheduled to be formally sentenced on June 26.

Back in February 2025, it was noted by the prosecuting attorney in the case that an imminent conflict of interest was possible.

An official order from the office of Governor Ron DeSantis identified the accused’s spouse as an employee within the local circuit of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court.

Butler’s prosecutor, Larry Basford, voluntarily chose to disqualify himself from the case. He requested that it be reassigned to a different state attorney. The State Attorney replaced him for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida, Ginger Bowden Madden.

An excerpt from the Governor’s official statement read “In the best interests of the State of Florida and of the ends of justice that the Honorable GINGER BOWDEN MADDEN discharge the duties of the Honorable LARRY BASFORD, pursuant to section 27 .14, Florida Statutes. “

The order further stated, “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, effective immediately.”