Okeechobee County, FL – On Monday, October 6, 2025, deputies with the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) responded to a report of a domestic-related incident at 1659 Highway 70 West, Lot 38, in the Kings Mobile Home Park.
Upon arrival, Deputy J. Benjamin made contact with the victim who reported that around 11 p.m. the previous evening, her ex-boyfriend, Jesus Santiago Cortes Merida, ambushed her outside her residence. The suspect allegedly grabbed her, covered her mouth, and forcibly dragged her to an abandoned trailer nearby.
Once inside, the suspect reportedly locked the door, restrained her, and threatened the victim's life repeatedly over the course of hours before ultimately allowing the victim to leave. The victim, once away, reached out to law enforcement to report the crime but the suspect had fled the scene.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., members of the OCSO Community Action Team (CAT) surveilled the area and located the suspect, 30-year-old Jesus Santiago Cortes Merida, at the residence.
During the arrest attempt, Cortes Merida fought the deputies and was subdued after a deputy deployed a taser to gain compliance. Cortes Merida stopped fighting and was arrested.
Cortes Merida was charged with the following offenses:
- Kidnapping – F.S.S. 787.01(1)(a)(1)
- False Imprisonment – F.S.S. 787.02(1)(a)
- Aggravated Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony – F.S.S. 784.021(1)(b)
- Domestic Battery (Touch or Strike) – F.S.S. 784.03(1)(a)(1)
A subsequent investigation by the Sheriff’s Office 287(g) Task Force Officer confirmed that Cortes Merida had overstayed his visa, which expired on July 10, 2025. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued an immigration detainer for his removal proceedings following the criminal investigation.
Cotes Merida is in custody at the Okeechobee County Jail and will remain there pending judicial proceedings.
