A Virginia man was being held without bond, accused of molesting a child during a vacation in Bradenton Beach.
Harold Marinus, 65, of North Tazewell, Virginia, is charged with lewd or lascivious molestation of a child younger than 12, a felony that if convicted could result in a life prison sentence, according to records from the Bradenton Beach Police Department and Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Records say the alleged incident occurred June 28, 2025, in the 100 block of 12th Street South in Bradenton Beach.
Marinus allegedly made inappropriate physical contact with a juvenile while families were vacationing on AMI. The allegations were detailed during a forensic interview at a child advocacy center.
After investigating, BBPD Lt. Lenard Diaz filed a capias request with the state attorney’s office, which led to Marinus’ arrest in October 2025.
Court records show he was being held without bond as of March 27. Following a Feb. 13 pretrial detention hearing, 12th Judicial Circuit Judge Frederick P. Mercurio ordered Marinus held in custody as the case proceeds.
If convicted, Marinus could face life in prison and would have to register as a sex offender.
His attorney entered a plea of not guilty, waived arraignment and requested a jury trial, according to court filings.
An arraignment was March 27 at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton.
Law enforcement alleges that similar conduct may have occurred on a separate occasion outside the Bradenton Beach area.