U.S. Marshals are looking for a violent sex offender convicted of abusing a child is on the run.
Robert Joel Taylor pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual battery and indecent liberties with a child.
Authorities say he molested a 7-year-old girl when he was a martial arts instructor.
Taylor served part of his sentence and was later arrested for a probation violation in 2007.
After he was released, he disappeared.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Alison Nixon has been trying to track Taylor down ever since.
“He's kind of all over the map. He has a lot of communication with people still in VA,” says Nixon.
Marshals say he still has ties to Hampton Roads.
He also has family in Texas and a sister in Georgia.
“I believe his family is still hiding him and helping him financially as well,” says Nixon.
Taylor is wanted for failing to register as a sex offender and violating probation.
“He knows how to hide. He knows how to get into communities and become friends with people and people would never know he's a sex offender,” says Nixon.
Marshal Nixon says Taylor speaks fluent Spanish and he could be changing his appearance.
And beyond his violent sexual past, she says Taylor has also made threats against law enforcement.
He's accused of threatening to kill a Texas police detective and threatening to assault his Norfolk probation officer.
“It is disturbing. That's why I'm asking for the public's help to try to help me get this guy put away for a long time. He shouldn’t be out on the street,” says Nixon.
U.S. Marshals say Robert Taylor could be armed and should be considered violent.
If you have any information about Taylor, call the u-s marshals fugitive hotline at 757-955-6821.
