Federal investigators say a 42-year-old man charged with transporting a minor for sex was tracked from Ohio to Florida using cell phone data, security footage, and car plate readers after a local 16-year-old girl went missing in February and was subsequently found with him.
Stephen Negron is accused of transferring a minor with the purpose to engage in unlawful sexual behavior.
According to investigators, the teen’s cell phone data indicated that it was turned off near the victim’s home. In the same area, a silver pickup truck registered to Negron was caught on surveillance video.
Authorities then utilized license plate readers to follow the truck into Kentucky and Tennessee. A warrant was served at Negron’s Tennessee residence, and investigators claim they discovered proof of a new phone Negron was using. That tip led investigators to Florida, where Negron and the teenager were eventually discovered.
The teenager is now back at home. According to retired FBI special agent Harry Trobmitas, technology is becoming important in incidents like these.
“Advancements in digital forensics have just made a world of difference for law enforcement,” Trobmitas commented.
Trobmitas also discussed how license plate reader networks can assist investigators in tracking a suspect vehicle across multiple jurisdictions.
“Once we have identified a suspect vehicle and we can enter that license plate number, we can track it throughout our local area, but there’s also a network of these things that we can provide the information to some of these larger networks that are out there,” Trobmitas added.
According to investigators, this is not the first time Negron has been accused of similar behavior. They claim he has a protective order against him from Texas because he met a 16-year-old girl when he was 41. According to court documents, he traveled to meet the youngster and reportedly drugged her, sexually abused her, and threatened her and her family with violence.
“Because he was already involved in another case involving similar activity, I believe prosecutors will be able to show the related offenses if they are admissible.” “This individual has clearly demonstrated that they cannot be trusted in public,” Trobmitas stated.
Negron faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for the federal charge in this case. According to the US attorney, Negron will be extradited to Ohio soon to face the charge.