Satellite Beach, FL – A horrific case of sexual assault has hit the community of Satellite Beach, with allegations that a 36-year-old man, Federico Gullen Maldonado, repeatedly sexually battered a 14-year-old girl at Las Monarcas Mexican Restaurant, a well-known local establishment located at 1390 Highway A1A where he worked. According to an arrest affidavit filed by the Satellite Beach Police Department, Maldonado, who is allegedly in the United States illegally, faces multiple charges of Lewd or Lascivious Battery and Lewd or Lascivious Molestation, both second-degree felonies.
- Advertisement -
The victim, identified only by her initials to protect her identity, was 14 years old at the time of the assaults. The assaults reportedly took place between May and June 2024, primarily in a storage closet and other areas of the restaurant, including near the dishwashing sink and a walk-in refrigerator. The girl, who helped at the family-owned restaurant, was allegedly coerced by Maldonado, a cook at Las Monarcas, into various sexual acts, including forced intercourse and oral sex.
According to the affidavit, Maldonado initiated contact with the girl. in September 2023 when he began working at the restaurant. Their interactions escalated after he returned to the restaurant in April 2024, following a brief absence. Maldonado allegedly groomed the minor, showering her with compliments and engaging in inappropriate physical contact, such as kissing and hugging, before the assaults occurred. She reported feeling scared and frozen during the encounters, stating she “just let him” assault her due to fear and uncertainty. “I didn’t know what to do,” she told detectives. After the assaults, Maldonado would go right back to cooking according to the report.
The affidavit details extensive communication between Maldonado and the victim on social media platforms, primarily Snapchat and TikTok, which played a significant role in their interactions. On Snapchat, where Maldonado used the username “Federico_m22337” and vanity name “Pepino Man,” he instructed her to delete their conversations to avoid detection, as Snapchat messages typically disappear after viewing. Similarly, on TikTok, under the username “@migue030233,” Maldonado repeatedly urged her to erase their chats, with messages such as “borra los mensajes ok?” (delete messages ok?) and “no dejas ningun mensaje ok borralo” (don’t leave any messages ok delete it). These communications, recovered through a search warrant executed on April 25, 2025, revealed Maldonado’s awareness of the victim’s age and his intent to conceal their interactions.
- Advertisement -
In TikTok messages translated from Spanish to English, Maldonado expressed romantic and sexual interest in her, despite acknowledging her age. On May 30, 2024, he referenced her upcoming 14th birthday, stating, “falta mucho para tus 14” (there’s still a long way to go until your 14th birthday), and later expressed his desire to “make love” to her. Sherepeatedly told Maldonado she did not want to continue their relationship, but he persisted, pressuring her with messages like “quiero que seas mio” (I want you to be mine).
The case came to light on February 3, 2025, when she disclosed the assaults to her family, who took her to Holmes Regional Medical Center for examination. Medical records from Viera Medical Hospital confirmed information, which, provided evidence attributed to Maldonado. The Satellite Beach Police Department, led by Detective Corporal Aimee Ybarra (2024 Officer of the Year), conducted a very thorough investigation, including a forensic interview with the victim at the Children’s Advocacy Center and a digital forensic analysis of her Android tablet, which uncovered incriminating Snapchat and TikTok conversations.
- Advertisement -
Detective Corporal Aimee Ybarra (2024 Officer of the Year)
Maldonado, who reportedly used multiple identities, including “Miguel Angel Maldonado,” admitted to having different IDs, claiming it was not illegal in Mexico. Shealso disclosed that Maldonado feared deportation, as he was allegedly in the U.S. illegally. The affidavit notes that all incidents occurred at Las Monarcas, with no working cameras in the areas where the assaults took place, complicating evidence collection.
The Satellite Beach community is reeling from the allegations, particularly given Las Monarcas’ status as a family-friendly restaurant. Authorities are seeking Maldonado’s arrest, with charges including six counts of Lewd or Lascivious Battery and one count of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation. The investigation remains ongoing, and police are urging anyone with additional information to contact the Satellite Beach Police Department.
