He fled to Mexico. He was caught with the FBI’s help.

PINELLAS COUNTY – A man was extradited from Mexico to face charges that he had sexual relations with a 13-year-old girl, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

Juan Paulino-Cantero, 36, was charged with one count each of sexual battery and lewd or lascivious molestation. He had been arrested March 16  in Mexico and was returned to Pinellas County on Friday (Dec. 1). He refused to talk with deputies after he arrived in Pinellas.

The investigation began Dec. 16, 2015, after the then-13-year old girl told an adult of inappropriate sexual activity that had occurred. Deputies said that, sometime in mid-November 2015, Paulino-Cantero had inappropriate sexual activity with the teen. Paulino-Cantero gave her money and told her to not tell anyone about the incident.

Detectives reported that Paulino-Cantero is known to the girl.

Detectives were able to confirm the girl’s allegations.

While conducting the investigation, deputies said they learned that Paulino-Cantero had fled to Mexico. They contacted the FBI and, with its help, Paulino-Cantero was arrested in Mexico and extradited from Mexico to Pinellas County.

For information about the Pinellas sheriff, go to pcsoweb.com.

Pinellas Sheriff | Crime | Sexual Battery | Molestation | Arrests | Tampabay News

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