An investigation that began in December, 2015 has resulted in the arrest of a man suspected of molesting a girl under the age of 16. Officers with the DeFuniak Springs Police were contacted by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office on December 11, 2015 concerning a sexual battery that occurred inside the city limits. Officers responded to a residence in the county and met with the complainant and victim. The mother of a teenage girl advised that 46 year old Laro Nunez-Licona, of DeFuniak Springs, had touched her daughter inappropriately. A friend of the suspect stated that he witnessed inappropriate contact and believed Nunez-Licona was molesting the girl. The witness confronted the father and advised him to talk to his daughter to make sure she was o.k. Her parents questioned the victim and their fears were confirmed. Officers, with the assistance of the Children's Advocacy Center in DeFuniak Springs, interviewed the child. The victim alleged that the suspect had placed his hand down the front of her pants on several occasions. She reportedly said no and resisted, but the suspect continued to coax her by saying “please.” The girl did not tell anyone because she did not want to disappoint her mother.
A warrant was obtained for the suspect and Nunez-Licona was arrested by DeFuniak Springs Police on January 20th. He was transported and booked into the Walton County Jail. Nunez-Licona is currently being held on a $100,000 bond for charges of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation.