HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A man wanted for a child sexual battery investigation in Florida dating back to 1989 has finally been arrested after more than three decades on the run.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest on Thursday, stating that the investigation began in October 1989, when reports emerged of a sexual battery involving a 15-year-old victim.

Authorities said they learned that multiple alleged violations had occurred when the victim was between the ages of 10 and 12.

As a result of the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for 65-year-old Joseph Vincent Michaels.

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The Sheriff’s Office said that he was accused of multiple charges, including two counts of Capital Sexual Battery and one count of Sexual Activity with a Child.

However, before law enforcement could apprehend him, Michaels fled the state and assumed multiple aliases to evade capture.

Michaels was allegedly living under names such as Pete Puma, Alan Schmidt, and Peter Kiesel until his recent capture in March 2026. He is now held in the Hernando Detention Center with a bond set at $1.6 million.

Authorities are encouraging anyone with further information about this case or Joseph Vincent Michaels to reach out to Detective George Loydgren at the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office by calling 352-797-3714.