Honduran man granted $1,500 after allegedly sexually assaulting 10-year-girl and getting beaten by neighborhood in viral video

By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 38-year-old man is out on bail tonight after being criminally charged for the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old child in the Saint Martin De Porres area over the weekend—an incident that culminated in a viral video of angry residents detaining and beating the suspect.

Joshua Abraham Melendez, a Honduran-born naturalized Belizean, appeared unrepresented before a Senior Magistrate in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday morning. He pleaded not guilty to a single charge of sexual assault.

According to police reports, the incident occurred on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at around 10:30 a.m. A mother reported that she had sent her 10-year-old daughter to Jasmine Supermarket on Jasmine Street to buy household supplies.

While inside the store, a tall man with dreadlocks—later identified as Melendez—allegedly grabbed the minor, hugged her, and kissed her on the right side of her face. The frightened child managed to break free, ran behind the supermarket counter, and asked the cashier to call her mother.

When the mother arrived, she confronted Melendez, who reportedly began yelling at her. The confrontation drew a crowd of neighborhood residents. Footage that later went viral on social media showed angry citizens attacking and detaining Melendez until police arrived to escort him into custody.

In court, the prosecution offered no objection to bail but requested strict conditions. The Senior Magistrate granted Melendez bail in the sum of $1,500 under the following stipulations: He must not contact or interfere with the victim or her family members in any way, including via social media. He must maintain a minimum distance of 25 feet from the victim. He is strictly prohibited from going near the victim’s school or home.

Before he could secure his release, Melendez was also required to settle an outstanding $170 court fine dating back to 2008. After presenting his Belizean passport to confirm his citizenship status and paying the old fine, Melendez was released.

His next court date is scheduled for August 12, 2026.

The post Honduran man granted $1,500 after allegedly sexually assaulting 10-year-girl and getting beaten by neighborhood in viral video appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.