STURGIS, S.D. – Meade County Sheriff Pat West says outstanding cooperation among law enforcement agencies in two states aided in the apprehension of a Nebraska sex offender accused of abducting a Meade County teen.
The sheriff’s office says on 10.20.2024 at approximately 7:30 am the Meade County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to a missing 13-year-old female from the rural Meade County area. It was quickly determined this juvenile was likely abducted from the area by a subject from Omaha Nebraska.
Sean Carlos Payne, 22 of Omaha NE, was quickly identified as a suspect through electronic communications. Payne, a registered sex offender, was wanted in Nebraska for the following charges:
- Probation Violation, original charge, Enticing a Minor
- 3rd Degree Assault Terroristic Threat
- Assault by Strangulation or Suffocation
- DV Assault 3rd Degree Cause Bodily Injury
Resources from the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, SD Division of Criminal Investigation, SD Fusion Center, and SD Highway Patrol all began coordinating efforts to locate the suspect and the missing juvenile.
At approximately 11:50 am, just as an Amber Alert for the missing juvenile was about to be issued, the Wyoming Highway Patrol located the suspect. After a pursuit in the Rawlins Wyoming area, the WY Highway Patrol was able to take the suspect into custody and save the missing juvenile.
“The amount of resources that came to bear on this case in a short amount of time is once again a testament to the working cooperation between agencies across the state. Saving a young child from a wanted predator is a win for us today.”, said Meade County Sheriff Pat West.
“When a child goes missing, and the evidence is clear they have been abducted, we will do everything, to find that child and bring them home safely.”, said SD Attorney General Marty Jackley.
“Quick thinking by the 911 dispatchers, who sent messages to all surrounding states, with possible vehicle descriptions was the key to finding this kid. We have some of the best on our team!” added Sheriff West.
Payne will remain in custody in Wyoming, as law enforcement continues to investigate this incident. It is likely there will be multiple charges in Wyoming, South Dakota, as well as his active warrants in Nebraska.
