The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
Three suspects were arrested in Utah last weekend after the authorities accused them of human trafficking several people, including a 14-year-old girl from Iowa who had been reported missing.
On July 20, during their search for the teen, who had her cell phone on her at the time, the authorities decided to ping the device to see if they could pinpoint her location. They tracked the signal and it led to an area around Coalville in Summit County. At the same time, the police received a report about two young women and a child with suitcases who were seen standing at a rest stop along Interstate 80.
A trooper from the Utah Highway Patrol went to the location, and when they arrived, the girls were still standing there. The 14-year-old was present, and it was learned that the other two had also been reported missing.
The car that the girls allegedly got out of came back to the spot while the troopers were still there, and there were three adults and two children inside. When they were questioned, the driver, 19, allegedly said he knew the 14-year-old was underage, and he was planning to take her to California.
The 19-year-old main suspect was taken into custody and booked into the Summit County Jail on several preliminary charges including second-degree felony kidnapping, third-degree felony endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult, misdemeanor possession of controlled substances (schedule I/II/analog), five misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence with a passenger younger than 16, misdemeanor DUI (first offense in 10 years), misdemeanor use or possession of drug paraphernalia, and citations for several traffic infractions. He is currently being held without bail.
The other adults in the vehicle were also arrested for kidnapping, drugs, and other charges.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.