Released Sex Predator Back In Custody Within Hours In Flagler County

Quick Return to Custody

In a shocking turn of events, Gabriel Pardo, a registered sexual predator, found himself back in jail just hours after walking out of a Florida state prison. Pardo, 45, was apprehended in Palm Coast, Florida, less than 12 hours post-release, after he was discovered violating his parole conditions.

The Flagler County Sheriff's Office detailed that Pardo had been released around 10:30 p.m. on Thursday from a state correctional facility. He was dropped at a bus stop on State Road 100 in Flagler Beach, equipped with a GPS ankle monitor and instructed to report to the probation office by 8 a.m. the next day. However, he failed to show up at the designated time and location.

A Risky Journey

Instead of heading to the probation office, Pardo embarked on a six-mile walk that ended at a Palm Coast home where he had previously abused multiple children. His GPS monitor detailed his journey to the location – around 10 miles away from the probation office. This alert led detectives to track him down on Old Kings Road, where they swiftly took him back into custody Friday morning.

“This pervert, convicted rapist, pedophile, and predator, couldn’t even make it one night out of prison before he attempted to contact the victims he assaulted,” Sheriff Rick Staly remarked.

History of the Offender

Pardo's criminal history is a grim one. His registration as a sexual predator stems from a 2018 case involving the repeated sexual abuse of two children over several years. In 2019, he faced justice, pleading no contest to charges of sexual battery, resulting in a guilty verdict on multiple counts. Consequently, Pardo received an eight-year prison sentence followed by a 15-year probation specifically for sex offenders.

Following his recent arrest, Pardo was charged with violating his probation and is currently held without bond at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. The swift action of law enforcement highlights the effectiveness of technology and vigilant policing in preventing further potential harm.