Immediate Release: Fugitive Psychiatrist Returned to Miami-Dade Fled to Dominican Republic during Sex Crimes Investigation

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Miami (October 28, 2021) – Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, in partnership with Gadyaces S. Serralta, the United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the Extradition Unit of the MiamiDade State Attorney’s Office, the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department, and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs Dominican Republic Foreign Field Office, announce the return to Miami-Dade County of Dr. Joan Humberto Marcelino.

On September 27, 2011, an arrest warrant was issued for Dr. Joan Humberto Marcelino after an investigation uncovered information indicating that Dr. Marcelino had allegedly engaged in sexual contact with victims under the age of 18.

Dr. Joan Humberto Marcelino was charged with the following 2nd Degree Felonies:
• 1 Count – Lewd & Lascivious Molestation on a Child 12-16
• 2 Counts – Lewd & Lascivious Exhibition on a Child Under 16
• 1 Count – Unlawful Sexual Activity with Specified Minor
• 1 Count of Indecent Exposure (1st Degree Misdemeanor)

The activities outlined in the arrest warrant allegedly focused their origin at a local gym, where Marcelino, an avid weightlifter, appeared to use his gym membership to meet high school students. Prior to the issuance of the arrest warrant, Marcelino fled the area and eventually made his way to the Dominican Republic.  Attempts to return Marcelino to Miami-Dade County were initially unsuccessful. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs advised the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office that the specific charges filed against Dr. Marcelino were not extraditable based on the existing treaty with the Dominican Republic. However, in January 2020, the Extradition Unit of the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office requested a status review of this case and a potential re-evaluation under the current treaty. The Office of International Affairs advised that the treaty between the United States and the Dominican Republic had changed and the filed criminal charges were now extraditable, leading to Dr. Marcelino’s return to Miami-Dade County.

Dr. Marcelino also has outstanding charges in Clermont, Florida, relating to a similar 2010 alleged incident in that jurisdiction.

“Ten years have passed since Dr. Joan Humberto Marcelino fled Miami-Dade County to avoid facing criminal charges based on his alleged conduct with minors,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “Thanks to the resolute efforts and commitment of my prosecutors and staff in the Extradition Section of my Legal Unit, and the commitment of the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force, Government of the Dominican Republic and the continued commitment of the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department to bring this case before a judge, Dr. Marcelino will now have to face the justice he so long sought to avoid.”

Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Edwin Lopez stated: “Due to the relentless and diligent efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement personnel, a predator who victimized our students will face long-awaited justice. This case sends a strong message to anyone willing to harm juveniles that the reach of the law enforcement arm is endless, especially when it pertains to child victims.”

“Within our enforcement mission, in addition to arresting violent fugitives, we focus on the identification, arrest and/or extradition of sex offenders,” added Gadyaces S. Serralta, the United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida. “This extradition is notable not just because Dr. Joan Humberto Marcelino is charged with unthinkable crimes against minors, but because he did so while acting in the capacity of a health care professional and in a position of trust. Today, Mr. Marcelino has been returned to the United States to face justice. We want to thank the Dominican Republic and our United States Marshals Service Foreign Field Office for facilitating the extradition. We are also grateful to the State Attorney, SAO Extradition Unit attorney team, and Miami-Dade’s School Police for their unwavering dedication and resilience in the pursuit of justice.”