PD: Alabama teen found at Staunton man's residence
STAUNTON — A missing Alabama teenager was recently found living with a man in Staunton, and the suspect is now being held in jail without bond, according to police.
On Jan. 17, the Staunton Police Department was contacted by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office in Centre, Alabama, concerning a missing 14-year-old girl believed to be with a Staunton man. Officers went to the man's residence and "located her and this individual," said Sgt. Butch Shifflett, a spokesperson for the police department.
According to an affidavit for a search warrant that was recently filed in Staunton Circuit Court, the girl's cell phone was confiscated. Content on the device suggested a sexual relationship between her and 22-year-old Rigo Lopez Medrano. The affidavit said there also was evidence that Lopez Medrano solicited the girl online, and said her cell phone contained nude photos that were reportedly sent to him.
Shifflett said Lopez Medrano is accused of picking up the girl in Alabama.
Following his arrest, Lopez Medrano allegedly admitted to soliciting the teenager on multiple occasions, according to court records, and stated that he and the girl had sex in both Staunton and Alabama.
Lopez Medrano is charged with carnal knowledge without force, possession of child pornography, and online solicitation of a minor.
He is being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail in Verona.
Shifflett said the child has been returned to Alabama.
Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: PD: Alabama teen found at Staunton man's residence
