Local News
Man arrested on drug and child abuse charges
STAFF REPORT
Published: February 14, 2013
HIGHLANDS COUNTY A Lake Placid man provided a cell phone to a 12-year-old girl so she wouldn't alert anyone that he sexually abused her, a warrant affidavit released Thursday said.Published: February 14, 2013
Ellis Lee Walton, 35, 257 Washington Blvd., Lake Placid, was arrested by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office Thursday and charged with resisting an officer without violence, possession of cocaine, possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license suspended, failure to register a vehicle, sexual battery and two counts of lewd molestation.
The arrest came six months after the warrant was issued on the sexual battery and lewd molestation charges.
An arrest report said that deputies patrolling an area spotted Walton and knew he had outstanding warrants. As deputies approached Walton, he fled into a wooded area, but was captured following a K-9-assisted search, the report said.
When he was captured, deputies found marijuana and cocaine, the report said.
The warrant charges stemmed from allegations Walton abused a 12-year-old girl at Walton's residence on more than occasion, the warrant affidavit said.
The girl said that Walton voiced concerns numerous times that if she told anyone he would go to prison, the warrant affidavit said.
As of press time he remained in jail on $456,000 bond.
Jmeisel@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5834