Accused Dade City Child Molester Walks Off Plane Into Handcuffs

DADE CITY, FL -- Detectives from the Dade City Police Department, assisted by the Tampa International Airport Police Department, arrested a 49-year-old Dade City man Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 28, as he stepped off a plane following a trip to Puerto Rico.

Phillips Edgardo Mendez of 14015 Wilson St. was arrested on a warrant and charged with 11 counts of capital felony sexual battery and three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, each a life felony.

The allegations involve sexual assaults on two children under the age of 12 over a three-year period - most recently this month.

The incidents came to light around Feb. 18 when the older of the two youths (now 10 years old) reported the assaults to their mother, who called police. Subsequent investigation and examinations led to the charges.

The identities of the children and the locations where the incidents took place are being withheld by police due to the nature of the allegations.

Mendez was booked into the Orient Road Jail under a $700,000 bond.

Image via Dade City Police