Tennessee Man Arrested in Florida with Missing Ohio Teen Faces Life Sentence

Federal charges have been filed against Stephen L. Negron, accused of transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity after he was found in a Florida hotel room with a missing Ohio teenager.

Arrest and Charges

Negron, 42, was arrested in mid-March by FBI agents at the hotel where he was staying with the 16-year-old girl. He could face life imprisonment if convicted on federal charges.

The indictment claims Negron promised the girl a better life after she was reported missing on February 16. Authorities linked him to her disappearance using cell phone data and surveillance footage.

Investigation Details

The investigation revealed that Negron allegedly disabled the girl's phone days before she went missing. Law enforcement tracked his vehicle traveling from Ohio through Kentucky and Tennessee.

The teenager informed authorities that Negron knew her age and made threats to harm her if she tried to escape. She also mentioned he forced her to delete evidence from her phone.

Priors and Evidence

Previously, a protective order had been issued in Texas against Negron by a woman who met him online when she was 16. The FBI executed a search warrant at his home, uncovering new information that led them to Florida.

The day after executing the warrant, officials found Negron with the Ohio teen and arrested him on related charges involving another victim from Texas.

If you know someone being exploited or are a victim of a crime, contact your local FBI field office or visit tips.fbi.gov.