PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: A Mexican migrant is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy during a game of hide-and-seek.
👥 Who’s Involved: Samuel Cobos-Carmona, the alleged perpetrator; a 13-year-old Florida boy and his eight-year-old brother; Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.
📍 Where & When: Alleged incident occurred in Florida behind the victim’s home on April 13, reported one week later.
💬 Key Quote: “We’re going to work very hard with the State Attorney’s Office and our federal partners to make sure this individual does not see the light of day again.” — Sheriff Bill Prummell.
⚠️ Impact: Cobos-Carmona faces charges of lewd and lascivious battery; broader conversations about immigration policy and law enforcement partnerships are likely.
IN FULL:
Charlotte County, Florida, faces a grave criminal case involving an alleged sexual assault on a minor. Samuel Cobos-Carmona, a 20-year-old Mexican migrant, is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy during a game of hide-and-seek behind the victim’s home. The attack reportedly occurred on April 13 but was not immediately disclosed due to the victim’s fear.
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Cobos-Carmona confessed to the assault after he formed a short-lived friendship with the victim and his younger sibling, aged eight. Sheriff’s deputies arrested Cobos-Carmona on Monday, charging him with lewd and lascivious battery on a victim between the ages of 12 and 16.
Sheriff Bill Prummell pledged cooperation with federal and state authorities to ensure the accused remains incarcerated. Prummell remarked, “We’re going to work very hard with the State Attorney’s Office and our federal partners to make sure this individual does not see the light of day again.” The sheriff further emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts with federal agencies to deport individuals like Cobos-Carmona.
Cobos-Carmona’s history in the United States is marked by a previous illegal entry in 2021, leading to deportation back to Mexico. However, he re-entered the U.S. the following year and avoided capture by Texas authorities before relocating to Florida. He was eventually detected, but Sheriff Prummell noted that he was released in 2024 thanks to the Biden-Harris government’s catch-and-release policies.
The case underscores issues surrounding immigration enforcement and public safety, prompting debates about federal policies and the responsibilities of agencies working at the state and local levels. Sheriff Prummell said officials helping to shelter migrants like Cobos-Carmona by implementing sanctuary policies should be “ashamed of themselves.”