A Brooksville man who fled the area ahead of a sexual battery charge in Hernando County was apprehended in Texas by US Marshals there. Other charges here may also be pending.
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) spokesperson Denise M. Moloney said that on June 20, Deputies responded to a report of alleged sexual battery at a residence in Brooksville. During a preliminary investigation, deputies received a video along with the device on which it was recorded.
Acting on a warrant, Det. Lauren Johnson examined both the video and the device on June 21 and found probable cause to arrest Eliseo Barrios Lopez on the sexual battery charge.
Meanwhile, Barrios Lopez suspected that the HCSO had been contacted about the case and fled the area on June 20, Moloney said.
On June 22, Johnson obtained an arrest warrant for Barrios Lopez and called on US Marshals to join the search for him. They located him in Texas, and on June 23 arrested Barrios Lopez on the Hernando County warrant.
During their investigation, HCSO detectives discovered that Barrios Lopez was in the US illegally. Subpoenas to his current employer/payroll company later revealed that he used another person’s social security number on job-related paperwork.
“Additional investigation is required regarding use of the social security number,” Moloney said.
As a result, further charges may be pending, she said.
Meanwhile, Barrios Lopez remains in Texas pending his extradition to Hernando County.
