Illegal alien faces sexual battery charges in DeSoto County

June 13, 2025 – District Attorney Matthew Barton announced Friday that Manuel Ivan Meraz-Sandoval, an illegal alien from Chihuahua, Mexico, has been apprehended following his indictment on four counts of Sexual Battery by a DeSoto County Grand Jury Thursday.

Meraz-Sandoval was captured by the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department Fugitive Team, working in coordination with the District Attorney’s Office, after authorities received credible information that he could be attempting to evade justice by fleeing the country.

“This bad actor—who is in this country illegally—was indicted for heinous crimes against innocent victims,” said District Attorney Matthew Barton. “We received intelligence that he may try to escape DeSoto County, and the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Team, along with our investigators, acted quickly to ensure that didn’t happen. Thanks to their swift action and professionalism, he will now face the consequences and deportation for his actions.”

Meraz-Sandoval was taken into custody without incident. He is being held in the DeSoto County Adult Detention Center in Hernando. ICE has been notified of his illegal status.

“I don’t care where you come from—if you hurt people in DeSoto County, we’re coming for you,” Barton said. “We aren’t going to sit back and let violent criminals, especially those here illegally, terrorize our families. If you commit a crime in DeSoto County, we’re going to hunt you down and hold you accountable.”