A troubling incident occurred when a local resident in Miami observed an elderly man engaging in inappropriate behavior with a teenage boy and promptly alerted the authorities. Esteban Nicodemo Puentes-Gonzalez, aged 89, was apprehended by police on Thursday and now faces two felony charges.
The Miami Police Department report indicates that the witness saw Puentes-Gonzalez involved in illicit activities with a 15-year-old boy near a stairwell at an apartment building located at 879 SW Third St. in the Little Havana area. The neighbor captured the incident on video, which was subsequently presented to law enforcement officers as evidence.
The victim, who has had a long-standing acquaintance with Puentes-Gonzalez since early childhood, is nonverbal and communicated with officers via a written note in Spanish. The suspect chose not to provide a statement to the police without legal representation.
A judge determined there was sufficient probable cause to charge the Cuban national with lewd and lascivious molestation of a child, as well as lewd and lascivious exhibition on a child. The bond for Puentes-Gonzalez has been set at $15,000.
Community Impact
This incident has raised concerns within the Little Havana neighborhood, highlighting the need for vigilance and community involvement in safeguarding vulnerable individuals, especially minors. The swift action by the neighbor underscores the importance of community members being proactive in reporting suspicious activities to authorities.
The case also brings attention to the necessity for specialized communication methods when dealing with nonverbal individuals in distressing situations. It emphasizes the critical role that clear and accessible communication plays in ensuring that victims can effectively convey their experiences to law enforcement.