A Broward judge ordered a self-employed ice cream truck driver to have no contact with children after he was arrested for lewd and lascivious molestation of a boy, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Judge Linda Pratt gave the order Monday after she agreed with a prosecutor's argument that public safety outweighs Ernesto Panduro-Rojas' ability to work in an ice cream truck.
The Hollywood man drives the “Mr. Er Ice Cream” truck, but there is no evidence to suggest that he acted inappropriately with a customer, the BSO said.
The judge said that she is concerned about which release conditions would best protect the safety of the community.
"And under the circumstances, I feel it appropriate to order the defendant to have no contact with minor children, pending resolution of these charges. So he’ll have to make some arrangement to be able to comply with that condition," Pratt said.
"OK," said Panduro-Rojas, 50.
He committed lewd and lascivious battery when he hugged the victim from behind, kissed him on the neck and touched his clothes in Pembroke Park on Sunday, according to a BSO complaint affidavit.
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The victim, who has known Panduro-Rojas for over a year, feared for his safety and fled to a safe place where he contacted the police, the affidavit said.
“He admitted to having touched the child inappropriately,” BSO spokeswoman Keyla Concepcion said of Panduro-Rojas.
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Pratt set his bond at $10,000 and he was being held in the Broward County Main Jail Monday afternoon, according to online BSO records. It was not immediately known if Panduro-Rojas has an attorney for his future hearings.
The judge also ordered Panduro-Rojas to have no contact with the alleged victim.
The BSO said that if any of Panduro-Rojas' customers have been victimized by him they should come forward.
