A previously deported Mexican man living illegally in the United States has been detained after allegedly “sexually battering” a teenage boy while playing hide-and-seek in Florida, authorities said Thursday.

Samuel Cobos-Carmona, 20, is suspected of viciously sexually abusing a 13-year-old kid in the woods behind a family member’s home, according to Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell’s video message.

On April 13, Cobos-Carmona befriended both the victim and an 8-year-old child.

“While in the woods with these two, he sexually battered the teen, both orally and anally,” Prummell told me.

Deputies detained Cobos-Carmona on Monday, and he admitted to the crime, Prummell added. According to jail records, he has been charged with sexual and lascivious battery on a victim aged 12 to 16.

He first entered the United States illegally in 2021, but was apprehended and repatriated to Mexico. He unlawfully returned in 2022, fleeing Texas officials and arriving in Florida, according to the sheriff.

He was later caught in Sarasota in July 2024, but was released under the Biden administration’s catch-and-release practices, according to the sheriff.

“People often question why myself and my fellow sheriffs in the state of Florida are working with our federal partners to round individuals like this up to get them the hell out of here,” Prummell told the crowd. “This is why.”

Prummell also chastised cities and states that have sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

“They ought to be ashamed of themselves,” he continued, accusing the jurisdictions of prioritising the safety of criminal illegal aliens over American citizens and children.

The sheriff’s office said it will collaborate with local and federal prosecutors to ensure Cobos-Carmona is imprisoned and, if released, deported.