Suspected illegal immigrant arrested on sexual battery and molestation charges, Lake officials say

Anthony Colarossi Sentinel Staff Writer

11:09 a.m. EDT, October 21, 2009


SORRENTO - A man who said he is living in the country illegally admitted to molesting a juvenile victim and has been charged with sexual battery and lewd and lascivious molestation, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Mario Leon Cano, 28, was arrested on the charges yesterday, but the acts occurred between December 2004 and June 2007, according to an arrest report. The victim said she and Cano had lived together as a family during that time period. The attacks happened, she said, when her mother was away working.

During a forensic interview, she said Cano "forcibly" touched her despite telling him to stop approximately 15 times, the arrest affidavit states.

Cano told one deputy that he touched the girl twice, one time over her clothing and another time under her clothing. Cano said "he never forced the victim to do anything and that she was the aggressor in the situation."

Cano also told investigators he was in the country illegally and could not provide identification. He did not know his local address.

Investigators asked that Cano be held without bail "as he is a flight risk due to his illegal status and current charges," the report states.

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