FL Man Wanted For Sex Crimes Arrested In Caribbean

Florida Children  Police say Joseph Fontana a convicted sex offender sexually assaulted the chidlren of a woman he met at church. Fontana had been on the run since 2006.
by Jamie Burch
Published: Fri, June 05, 2009 - 6:39 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, July 27, 2009 - 10:09 am CST
'America's Most Wanted' helps capture a Florida man, wanted on 76 counts of sex crimes against children, in the Dominican Republic.

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office says Joseph Fontana had been on the run since 2006. He's accused of sexually assaulting the children of a woman he met at church in Fort Walton Beach. Deputies say when Fontana found out they were investigating, he took off.

'America's Most Wanted' featured Fontana on a show in April. Someone in the Dominican Republic recognized him and called AMW. U.S. Marshals arrested Fontana this afternoon.

Fontana is known to prey on single women who have young boys. He has been arrested for crimes against children three previous times. In 1995, Fontana was convicted of lewd & lascivious behavior with a male child under the age of 16.

Fontana is charged with: 25 Counts of Sexual Assault on a victim over 12, 25 Counts of Lewd & Lascivious behavior (conduct by persons 18 or older), 25 counts of Lewd & Lascivious behavior (exhibit by persons 18 or older victim less than 16), and 1 count of showing obscene material to a child. He's also wanted on a warrant in Okaloosa County.
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