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Convicted sex offender who escaped into marsh held on no bond

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — A convicted sex offender who escaped from deputies faced a judge in Volusia County on Thursday afternoon.

Deputies spent 10 hours searching for the suspect in a marshy area of New Smyrna Beach.

He's now facing several new charges.

Luis DeJesus appeared to be wincing in pain as he walked toward the judge during his first appearance in court. It's the first time he's seen him in person since he was on the run from deputies in New Smyrna Beach.

For several hours he remained hidden in the marshes filled with mangroves and jagged oyster shoals.

Skywitness 9 HD captured the tireless search from above.

Deputies had to use a helicopter and boats to cover the difficult terrain.

The search began after officials say a deputy tried to arrest DeJesus for failing to register as a sex offender. He was arrested in 2007 for molestation on a person younger than 12 years old.

DeJesus attacked the deputy who tried to arrest him. He escaped while still wearing his handcuffs.

In court, the abrasions on his wrists could be seen.

When he finally came out of hiding, someone spotted DeJesus walking awkwardly with his shirt off near a restaurant on U.S. 1 around 10:30 Wednesday night.

Then just after 11 p.m., deputies caught up to DeJesus in Edgewater near some railroad tracks. They arrested him without incident.

DeJesus is behind bars at the Volusia County Jail, charged with failing to properly register as a sex offender, battery on a law enforcement officer and escape. For that, he received no bond.

The deputy he attacked received a few minor cuts and bruises, but is expected to be just fine.