A man accused of raping two young girls in Osceola County then fleeing to the Bahamas said his accusers just want his money.

Loomes Wheeler, 71, said he cut off his ankle bracelet and fled the to the Bahamas because he was scared of spending the rest of his life in prison. 

However, Wheeler told the court he was planning to come back to Osceola County, before he was caught.

Wheeler took the witness stand in his own defense Thursday.

Wheeler denied all of the allegations of sexual abuse against him, adding that the accusers are simply after his money.

Loomes Wheeler: “I would never hurt them. I would never hurt any of them.”

Attorney: “So you knew what Emily was talking about?”

Wheeler: “I didn’t know what she was talking about. I’m just saying I’d never hurt any of the kids.”

Wheeler, who once owned Horse World in Kissimmee, was found in the Bahamas after he was arrested in a marijuana sting last year.

However, state prosecutors said Wheeler was never supposed to leave Osceola County.

Attorney: “You were placed on GPS, correct?” 

Wheeler: “Correct.” 

Attorney: “You were told not to leave the jurisdiction, correct?” 

Wheeler: “Yes m’am.” 

Attorney: “And on September 1, 2013, you decided to cut off your monitor, correct?” 

Wheeler: “Yes m’am.” 

Attorney: “You did so anyway. You were gone for seven months, correct?”

Wheeler: “Seven and a half.”

Attorney: “And you’re caught in the Bahamas?”

Wheeler: Yes m’am.”

Things got testy when state prosecutors asked Wheeler if he ever planned on coming back.

Attorney: “You were planning to stay gone right?”

Wheeler: “No I was coming back.”

Attorney: “You were going to come back?”

Wheeler: “I was on the way back.” 

Attorney: “Hmm.” 

Wheeler: “Hmm.”

If Wheeler is found guilty on all nine charges, he could be sentenced to life in prison.