MANATEE — Deputies arrested a homeless man after he hit another man who was kicked out of an Ellenton bar for being a child molester, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Staff of the Three Oaks Bar in Ellenton told the victim to leave the property because he was a convicted child molester, according to an arrest report. The victim left the bar at 4:50 p.m. Saturday and was followed by William Wagner.

Wagner, 53, confronted the victim outside the bar and called him a child molester several times, deputies said. The victim responded that he had committed the crime 30 years ago and “he has never done it since.”

Wagner then punched the victim in the face and the man fell on his right knee, according to the report. A witness came over to help, and Wagner asked why he would help a child molester before walking off.

The witness and the victim talked to deputies at a Dollar General store nearby about the incident, and the victim identified the suspect walking out of the bar towards the store.

Wagner was arrested and charged with battery. He was released Sunday on $500 bond.