A routine traffic stop in Alabama led to the arrest of a Florida man after he was found with a juvenile girl who had been reported missing.
Pedro Diego is charged with traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act.
On Sept. 13, a Morgan County mother reported to Decatur police her 15-year-old daughter was missing.
On Sept. 16, Senior Alabama State Trooper Chuck Daniel performed a traffic stop on a Black Camaro that authorities said was speeding on I-65 in Blount County. Diego was unable to produce a driver’s license or proof of insurance.
Authorities said Daniel got conflicting information on the driver and his passenger regarding their identities and their relationship. Further investigation showed that female passenger was a juvenile who had been missing for three days and was being taken to Florida. The two are believed to have met online.
Jail records show Diego was booked into the Blount County Jail Thursday afternoon. He is being held without bond. He is also charged with several traffic violations, according to court records.
The 15-year-old girl has been returned to her family.
The Blount County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the arrest of Diego citing a continuing investigation into the matter.