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Previously deported illegal immigrant arrested in Ohio for allegedly abducting, sexually assaulting 15-year-old girl
Image source: Lucas County Corrections Center

Previously deported illegal immigrant arrested in Ohio for allegedly abducting, sexually assaulting 15-year-old girl

Human-trafficking

State troopers arrested a previously deported illegal immigrant in Ohio on Tuesday after they discovered a missing New Jersey teenager in his vehicle during a traffic stop. Police say the suspect abducted and sexually assaulted the 15-year-old girl.

What are the details?

Police pulled Juan Carlos Morales-Pedraza, reportedly in his mid-30s, over for a moving violation while driving westbound on I-80, WOIO-TV reported. One trooper told WTOL-TV something just "didn't feel right" about the situation.

Ohio State Highway Patrol say neither Morales-Pedraza nor the teen spoke English or had identification on them, but troopers were able to determine both were of El Salvadorian descent and brought a translator to the scene.

Police feared — and later confirmed — the suspect had sexually assaulted the girl. Once they were able to positively identify the teen, they found she was reported missing from Paterson, N.J. Investigators say Morales-Pedraza was transporting the girl to Chicago.

WTOL reported that the girl was a human-trafficking victim. She was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Anything else?

According to state officials, Morales-Pedraza was living in the United States illegally and re-entered after previously being deported, the New York Post reported.

The suspect has been charged with abduction with sexual motivation and an immigration detainer, but the OSHP said further charges are pending.

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