The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
An Oregon man whose van got stuck in the snow is facing felony charges after he called for assistance and was allegedly caught with a teenage girl who had gone missing from home.
37-year-old Christopher Thomas Knox reportedly recently rented a van and allegedly took a trip to an area near the capital city of Washington, where he picked up the 13-year-old daughter of a mother with whom he was acquainted.
The pair allegedly went on the road together in the rental vehicle and were driving near the coastal town of Knappa, Oregon, just under 200 miles from the girl’s residence. While navigating through a mountainous area, the van became stuck as a result of the heavy snow that accompanied the recent storm system moving through the region.
Knox reportedly called for assistance, and Clatsop County deputies showed up at the location.
When the deputies began to question Knox they inquired about the teenage girl with him, and he allegedly said that she was his child.
While investigating the information provided to them by Knox, the deputies reported that they learned the girl was missing from her home in Washington, and that her parents did not know she had left with Knox nor give her their permission to leave.
The authorities additionally believe that Knox engaged in sexual relations with the teen while the two were still in Washington near the beginning of the allegedly unlawful excursion.
The alleged victim was checked over at a medical facility and then taken home to her parents, while Knox was taken to jail and booked on suspicion of felony online corruption of a minor, and felony luring a minor.
The investigation is still underway, and it was reported that the prosecution is in the process of deciding whether or not enough probable cause exists to also charge Knox with attempted rape, and custodial interference.
Knox, who resides Hillsboro, Oregon, was currently on conditional release from unrelated charges and he was ordered not to leave his home state, so he may be looking at charges for violation of the release agreement as well.
Knox is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail, and he declined to enter a plea at his first hearing. He is scheduled to appear back in court next week for the allegations.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a crime, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.