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Accused child molester who fled to Bahamas back in Osceola County Jail

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — An Osceola County man accused of molesting young children is back on U.S. soil after seven months on the run.

WFTV was there as Loomes Wheeler Jr. was hauled off to jail Thursday evening.

When Channel 9’s Ryan Hughes asked Wheeler about the young victims, Wheeler responded by asking, “What victims?”

While the suspect was being brought to jail, Hughes also asked Wheeler why he was in the Bahamas.

He said he was on vacation and wanted to go fishing.

Flanked by cameras, Wheeler declared his innocence as he walked to a patrol car.

The owner of Horse World in Osceola County allegedly skipped town in September, weeks before his trial to face child sexual abuse charges.

“Why did you cut off your GPS ankle monitor?” Hughes asked Wheeler.

“I’m not saying anything else. I’m through,” Wheeler said.

Over the weekend, Drug Enforcement Administration agents picked up Wheeler during an unrelated marijuana investigation.

He was flown back to Florida Thursday, around the same time Osceola County detectives arrested his business associate, Patrice Bullard.

She’s accused of driving him to Miami and putting him on a private boat to the Exuma Islands where her ex-husband lives.

Wheeler did not comment about Bullard’s arrest.

“We’re glad that he’s here and we hope it brings relief for the families to know that he’s going to stand trial for the charges,” said Twis Lizasuain with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

Wheeler and Bullard are being held without bail.