Fugitive Wanted On Child Molestation Charge Captured

A fugitive deported to Mexico in July was caught in Sarasota Thursday afternoon, this time being wanted for molesting a 10-year-old girl last week. 

U.S. Marshals and the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit captured Eric Miranda-Lopez, 28, in the 1100 block of 40th St., Sarasota today. 

Miranda-Lopez is charged with lewd or lascivious molestation and is being held in the Sarasota County Jail without bond, according to the sheriff's office. 

Miranda-Lopez told investigators he re-entered the U.S. in September. 

In the molestation case, the victim's mother reported the case on Oct. 14 after the victim told her that Miranda-Lopez crawled into her bunk bed and touched her inappropriately while sleeping, according to the probable cause affidavit. He was considered a family friend, according to the affidavit.

The mother pounded on Miranda-Lopez's bedroom door, waited for him to answer, confronted him about the situation and told him to move out of the house, according to the affidavit.

The mother also explained that she feared that Miranda-Lopez would attempt to flee the country back to Mexico, according to the affidavit. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is placing him on an administrative hold again after being determined as a flight risk when he was deported in July.