Accused Molester Freed on Bond within Hours

Alleged victim's mother frustrated with system

RIO GRANDE CITY - A woman wants to know why the man accused of molesting her daughter is free on bond.

"A child molester was out within an hour," says the woman, we'll call "Juana."

We're not identifying her or her daughter, because they're both victims of sexual assault.

"I hate him. I hate him for what he did," she tells us.

The man she's referring to is Eleasar Hinojosa. He was booked, charged, and released.

"I left the police department before 3, and they told me they'd arrest him. Before six, he was arrested and released," "Juana" tells us.

She says she's frustrated with the system, and the judge who granted Hinojosa a $25,000 surety bond.

NEWSCHANNEL 5 went looking for Leo Lopez, the judge in the hearing. He wasn't in the office. And the clerk told us he might be back or he might not.

We waited and called, but we haven't heard from him yet.

A bond is not considered a punishment. It's simply a promise to appear in court. NEWSCHANNEL 5 checked with other Valley municipal judges about the bond amount given to Hinojosa.

They tell us a $25,000 surety bond is somewhat average. But they add every case is different.

In Hinojosa's case, the clerk tells us he wasn't a flight risk, because he walked into the courtroom with his walker.

But none of this takes "Juana's" pain away.

"He's gonna pay for what he did to my daughter," she says.