The man accused of murdering British schoolgirl Caroline Dickinson is being extradited to France to face trial.
Mr Francisco Arce Montez was handed over to American federal marshals in Miami.
The move comes after local prosecutors freed him on unrelated state charges, clearing the way for him to be flown to France.
The Spanish waiter (51) is alleged to have raped and murdered the Cornish girl (13) in a hostel room in Brittany during a school trip in July 1996.
The spokesman says Mr Montez appeared in handcuffs at Florida State Court in Miami in front of Judge David Young, on charges of burglary and committing lewd behaviour.
He was told by prosecutors he could accept a plea bargain deal, where he would be freed from local prison if he pleaded guilty to the charges, which were brought after he was arrested in the Miami Beach area in March. But Mr Montez refused and prosecutors then moved to reduce the bail, setting him free from local custody.
"We basically took our handcuffs off him and the federal marshals put theirs on," said the spokesman.
The marshals had a State Department arrest warrant and immediately took him into custody to await being handed over to French authorities, who were waiting in Miami.
The charges in Florida remain open and if Mr Montez becomes a free man, authorities in Miami will consider whether to seek his extradition, the spokesman says.
Caroline's father Mr John Dickinson, of Bodmin, Cornwall, said he is aware of the latest developments, but added: "The family do not feel it appropriate to make any comment while legal proceedings are pending in France."
PA