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.<\/p>\n
On July 15, the Bay County Sheriff\u2019s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Cruz Vigil, 56, of Gautier, Mississippi.<\/p>\n
A child victim said that Vigil committed the offenses while the victim was vacationing in Mexico Beach, BCSO says.<\/p>\n
Investigators found that Vigil had gone home to Mississippi.<\/p>\n
Upon further investigation, they learned he was no longer at his house and failed to report to work.<\/p>\n
The Bay County Sheriff\u2019s Office said investigators were able to track Vigil\u2019s movements in real time using Flock license plate reader cameras.<\/p>\n
Footage showed Vigil leaving Mississippi and traveling south through Texas in what investigators believed was an attempt to flee to Mexico and avoid arrest.<\/p>\n
Multiple agencies worked together to continuously monitor Vigil\u2019s route and location.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Texas Highway Patrol found and arrested Vigil about one hour before he was expected to reach the border on Thursday, July 16.<\/p>\n
Vigil is currently being held in Texas without bond pending extradition to Bay County, Florida.<\/p>\n
He is charged with sexual battery on a victim younger than 12 and lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim younger than 12.<\/p>\n
Authorities said this is an active investigation, and additional charges are expected.<\/p>\n
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