A Miami Gardens man is behind bars with no bond after an arrest warrant accused him of molesting a child over roughly seven years, starting when she was about 8 years old and continuing into her mid-teens. The woman, now an adult, told investigators the abuse began in childhood and went on for years, and detectives say they have since identified a second potential victim.
According to WSVN, court records show Lucius Snipes has been charged with five counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12 and three counts of engaging a child in sexual activity. The warrant states the victim, born in 2000, lived in the same household as Snipes and an extended family member she described as an “aunt,” and that Snipes was often the one watching her when the relative was away. The documents also say Snipes is being held without bond.
What the warrant alleges
The arrest warrant lays out a string of disturbing accusations. It says Snipes first exposed himself to the girl and forced her to touch him inappropriately when she was around 8, then later fondled her over her clothes and performed sexual acts on her on multiple occasions, according to WSVN. The warrant does not list dates for every alleged incident, but investigators describe repeated contact over an estimated seven-year period.
Legal implications
Under Florida law, lewd or lascivious molestation and related offenses are classified based on the victim’s age and the defendant’s age or relationship to the child. An adult who molests a child under 12 can face life-felony exposure under state statute, and other subsections carry lengthy prison terms along with sex offender registration requirements, according to The Florida Senate. Any eventual sentence would depend on the victim’s age, the exact subsection charged, and whether there are prior qualifying convictions.
Local context
The case lands in a city that has already been grappling with high-profile child sex abuse prosecutions this year. Earlier in 2024, a Miami Gardens youth track coach was sentenced to 50 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of sexually abusing a 13-year-old, a case reported by Local 10. Officials say investigations like these can sometimes prompt additional victims to come forward, which can widen already painful cases.
Prosecutors have not yet announced a court date. The Miami Gardens Police Department led the investigation, and the case is expected to move through the usual criminal process. Court filings and official statements will outline Snipes’ arraignment schedule and any future hearings as the matter continues in court.
