BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — A 47-year-old Miramar man accused of sexually abusing a girl beginning when she was 8 years old appeared in a Broward County courtroom Friday, nearly 12 years after police say he fled the country to avoid arrest.
Elvis Espinosa Gonzalez is facing a charge of sexual battery of a 12-year-old, whom investigators say he impregnated. He was extradited from Spain earlier this year and is now being held without bond.
The alleged victim told investigators the abuse began when she was a child and often happened after her siblings had fallen asleep and her mother was at work.
In October 2014, when the girl was 12, police said investigators were called to a clinic where she was 31 weeks pregnant.
She told authorities Espinosa, a relative, had raped her and threatened to kill himself if she spoke up, according to an arrest report.
The report stated that the victim told police the assaults occurred in the suspect’s bedroom inside their home.
When the girl told Espinosa she planned to tell her mother, she said he held a knife to his throat and threatened to kill himself in front of everyone, according to investigators.
Espinosa initially denied the allegations when confronted by police, claiming he had been drunk and had no memory of assaulting her.
“If it could be proven that it happened then he would pay the ultimate price and kill himself,” he said.
In 2015, the girl gave birth. DNA samples taken from her and her child matched Espinosa, investigators said.
During Friday’s court appearance, Espinosa remained silent as a Spanish interpreter stood by.
“Judge based on the seriousness of the allegations, we’re going to be invoking Mr. Espinosa’s right to remain silent and not be questioned by law enforcement,” his public defender said.
“The court does find probable cause for the charges,” a state prosecutor told the judge, later asking that Espinosa be held with no bond on the lead count, which is punishable by life in prison.
After fleeing to Spain, Espinosa was eventually located and returned to the U.S. to face charges. Prosecutors say he is now facing the consequences of his alleged actions.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
