The Cape Coral Police Department\u2019s Special Victims Unit, along with the U.S. Marshals, have apprehended a fugitive suspect in a child sexual battery investigation that dates back nearly four years.<\/p>\n
Jesus Leon Leyva, 42, of Cape Coral, has been located and taken into custody following a coordinated international law enforcement effort.<\/p>\n
According to CCPD officials, Leyva was being held in Harris County, Texas, awaiting extradition to Lee County as of Sept. 30. He is charged with sexual battery on a child.<\/p>\n
On Oct. 2, Leyva was booked into the Lee County Jail.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Cape Coral Police Department extends its sincere gratitude to the U.S. Marshals Service, its regional fugitive task force, international field offices, and Mexican authorities for their steadfast dedication and relentless collaboration in bringing this fugitive to justice,\u201d CCPD officials stated in a release.<\/p>\n
According to police, on Dec. 19, 2022, CCPD officers responded to a report regarding an indecent that occurred days prior at an apartment in Cape Coral. Police officials state that detectives assigned to SVU immediately launched an investigation into allegations that Leyva exposed himself and committed sexual battery against a juvenile victim.<\/p>\n
CCPD officials stated that following the incident, Layva fled in an attempt to evade law enforcement, prompting the multi-agency manhunt.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter investigators with the U.S. Marshals Service Florida\/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force \u2014 Fort Myers office developed information indicating Jesus Leon Leyva was in Mexico, they coordinated with the USMS Office of International Operations \u2014 Mexico Foreign Field Office and Mexican authorities to locate and apprehend him,\u201d CCPD officials stated.<\/p>\n
The investigation remains ongoing.<\/p>\n