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Calif. Molest Suspect Seized in Maryland

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Associated Press

A former employee of the Novato Youth Center who is suspected of molesting nine boys was arrested Saturday in Maryland, police said.

Richard Florian, 30, was taken into custody at the Fallston Volunteer Fire Company in Fallston, Md., said Novato Police Dispatcher Scott Johnson.

Florio is being held at the Hartford County Sheriff’s Office in Bel Air, Md., on $500,000 bail, Johnson said. An extradition hearing will be held Monday, he said.

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A felony warrant from the Marin County district attorney’s office charges Florio with eight counts of lewd and lascivious acts against children under 14, and three counts of use of force or fear to accomplish such acts, Johnson said.

Florio worked at the center for five years before quitting his job in August, said Novato police officer Richard Hill. The suspect had written to some of the children, telling them he missed them, he said.

The victims ranged in age from 7 to 11.

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