MADISON COUNTY, N.C. (FOX Carolina) – The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said a registered sex offender was arrested after visiting a school.
Deputies said Manuel Cavazos was arrested on May 13, 2026 and given a $100,000 secured bond after they said he was on Mars Hill Elementary School’s property while children were present. It was determined he did not try to enter the school building.
According to the sheriff’s office, Cavazos was in violation of North Carolina General Statute §14-208.18 due to him being a registered sex offender.
Deputies mentioned that Cavazos was convicted in Okaloosa County Florida on Aug. 30, 2012, of four counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child under 12 years of age. Following his release from prison, he was relocated to Mars Hill and required to register as a sex offender in North Carolina on Aug. 11, 2022. Cavazos is classified as a sexual predator.
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