DUNNELLON, Fla. (AP) — A lacking Ohio teen was recovered in Florida after she logged in to an internet online game on the residence of the person who took her, authorities mentioned.
Thomas Ebersole, 31, was arrested final Wednesday at his Dunnellon residence, based on the Marion County Sheriff’s Workplace. The world is about 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Tampa. Police in Lima, Ohio, about 80 miles ( 130 kilometers) northwest of Columbus, had reported the lady lacking on Dec. 28.
The FBI had contacted the sheriff’s workplace earlier that day to request assist in finding the lacking 16-year-girl. Investigators decided that her World of Warcraft account had been used at a neighborhood deal with, which turned out to be Ebersole’s residence, authorities mentioned. His World of Warcraft account was additionally accessed on the location. World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer on-line role-playing recreation.
Investigators made contact with Ebersole at his residence, and he initially denied figuring out the lady, officers mentioned. However he ultimately admitted that he had pushed to Ohio to satisfy the teenager and introduced her again to his residence, authorities mentioned. Ebersole additionally advised investigators that he was in a romantic relationship with the lady and was going to cover her in his residence till they may get married.
Ebersole offered detectives with on-line messages that additional outlined his plans to satisfy the lady in Ohio and have intercourse along with her, regardless of figuring out that he was committing a criminal offense, officers mentioned.
Ebersole faces felony expenses of touring to satisfy a minor to interact in sexual exercise and interfering with youngster custody, in addition to a misdemeanor cost of sheltering an single minor, based on jail information. He was being held on $6,000 bail. Jail information did not record an lawyer for Ebersole.
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