A Fort Myers man accused of sexually assaulting a child is now in custody after authorities say he bolted from Southwest Florida, only to be tracked down by federal agents in Houston.
According to Fort Myers police, the suspect left the area after learning he was a person of interest in the case and remained on the run for about a week before his arrest. Investigators say the case is still active and many key details, including the full scope of the allegations, remain under investigation.
The Fort Myers Police Department opened its investigation on Feb. 12 and identified the suspect as Hector Ramon Villalta Ortiz, Gulf Coast News and Weather reported. The outlet says Villalta Ortiz fled Florida after learning officers were looking for him, setting off a coordinated effort to find him. Police have not publicly shared additional information about the alleged assault or any formal charges.
How Police Tracked Him Down
Fort Myers police enlisted help from the U.S. Marshals Service and worked with federal agents for roughly a week as they tried to track Villalta Ortiz. Members of the Marshals Service ultimately located and arrested him in Houston on Feb. 18, according to Gulf Coast News and Weather.
The Fort Myers Police Department described the arrest as a clear example of how cross-agency cooperation can speed up the hunt for suspects who skip town. Investigators say they are still working closely with federal partners as they follow up on leads and build out the case file.
What Authorities Are Asking
Officials have not said whether Villalta Ortiz has been formally charged or when he might be brought back to Lee County for any potential court proceedings.
The City of Fort Myers lists the Fort Myers Police Department's non‑emergency line as 239‑321‑7700 for tips and general questions, and anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the department. For phone numbers, email contacts, and the full police directory, visit the City of Fort Myers directory.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and that more details will be released when appropriate. As in all criminal cases, the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
