$1.5M bond set for accused Lee County child molestor

FORT MYERS, Fla.- An accused child molester at the center of a four-year international manhunt is being held at the Lee County jail on $1.5 million bond.

Nelson Sanderson, 75, is facing two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior dating back to 2012.

Prosecutors say the victims’ mother reported the molestation allegations to deputies in July 2012. Days later when authorities attempted to talk to Sanderson, they found out he’d left the city.

U.S. Marshals began tracking Sanderson’s movement through credit cards and bank statements as he and his wife fled to Costa Rica and later Nicaragua.

Sanderson was extradited to Lee County on Thursday after being taken into custody and brought back to the United States last week.

If Sanderson is able to post bond, the judge ordered him to stay away from the two victims and all minors.

Sanderson is due back in court next week.