Missing 12-year-old from North Carolina found after car crash in Ohio, man facing kidnapping and child pornography charges
COLUMBUS, OH (WTRF) — A Bremen, Ohio, man is facing federal charges after authorities say he kidnapped a missing 12-year-old girl from North Carolina after communicating with her online. Virgil Larson, 45, has been charged with kidnapping a minor along with multiple child exploitation and child pornography offenses. According to federal investigators, the FBI began investigating in early April after receiving information about the missing child from North Carolina. Authorities said Larson had been communicating with the girl through Snapchat and text messages. The case unfolded when Larson crashed his vehicle into the median on U.S. Route 33 near the Hocking and Athens county line. Deputies responding to the crash found the girl in the front passenger seat. Larson allegedly told officers she was 18 years old and described her as a friend. After separating the two, deputies determined the girl was 12 years old. Investigators said forensic reviews of online communications revealed threats were made against the child, including threats of violence if she did not send sexually explicit images. Larson was first arrested on local charges in Hocking County on April 7 and has remained in custody. Federal charges now include sexual exploitation of a minor, receipt or possession of child pornography, coercion and enticement of a minor, travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, and kidnapping a minor. Authorities said Larson has at least two prior sex offense-related convictions. If convicted on the federal charges, he could face up to life in prison. Officials emphasized that the charges are allegations, and Larson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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