BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – A man from Mississippi is behind bars after traveling across multiple states in an alleged attempt to evade law enforcement following accusations that he committed sexual battery on a minor.
On July 15, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Cruz Vigil, 56, of Gautier, Mississippi.
A child victim said that Vigil committed the offenses while the victim was vacationing in Mexico Beach, BCSO says.
Investigators found that Vigil had gone home to Mississippi.
Upon further investigation, they learned he was no longer at his house and failed to report to work.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office said investigators were able to track Vigil’s movements in real time using Flock license plate reader cameras.
Footage showed Vigil leaving Mississippi and traveling south through Texas in what investigators believed was an attempt to flee to Mexico and avoid arrest.
Multiple agencies worked together to continuously monitor Vigil’s route and location.
Authorities credited Flock cameras and the rapid sharing of information between agencies with helping to catch Vigil before he crossed the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Texas Highway Patrol found and arrested Vigil about one hour before he was expected to reach the border on Thursday, July 16.
Vigil is currently being held in Texas without bond pending extradition to Bay County, Florida.
He is charged with sexual battery on a victim younger than 12 and lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim younger than 12.
Authorities said this is an active investigation, and additional charges are expected.
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