Accused Lee County child molester captured in Nicaragua

FORT MYERS, Fla.- After nearly four years on the run, a 75-year-old man facing molestation charges has been taken into custody in Central America, Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers said on Wednesday.

A warrant for the arrest of Nelson Sanderson was issued on July 27, 2012, after being accused of two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under the age of 12.

Sanderson fled the United States shortly after the allegations came to light, authorities said.

He was originally believed to be hiding out in Costa Rica, then subsequently moved to Grenada, Nicaragua. Over the last four years, members of the U.S. Marshals have worked alongside the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to track Sanderson down.

Last week, Sanderson was taken into custody in Nicaragua. Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Marshals brought Sanderson back to the United States.

He was booked into the Miami Dade Correctional Facility on Wednesday night and will be held with no bond before facing a judge in Lee County.

If convicted of the charges against him, Sanderson will be facing two life felony sentences, authorities said.

“Last week’s arrest of Nelson Sanderson in Nicaragua is an absolute testament that you can run from the law, but you can’t hide forever,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers coordinator.