Illinois sex offender charged in connection to disappearance of a Georgia teen

An Illinois man has been arrested in connection to the disappearance of a Georgia teenager.

The victim, 13-year-old Natasha Brown, has been found safe.

On July 6, Brown went missing from her home in Cochran, Georgia. Just before she went missing, she told her family she was going for a walk, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.

On July 10, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said they were contacted by law enforcement in Springfield, Illinois, who told them that Brown was found safe in the city, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.

The GBI has charged Springfield resident Zachery M. Despain, 36, with multiple counts in connection with Brown’s disappearance, including interference with custody, enticing a child for indecent purposes, trafficking of person for labor or sexual servitude and kidnapping.

FOX 5 Atlanta reported that Despain is a registered sex offender.

Police have not detailed how the two made it to Illinois from Georgia.

The sex offender charge allegedly stems from when he was accused of aggravated criminal sex abuse of a 14-year-old victim in Peoria County when he was 18 years old, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.

Officials say Despain is also facing multiple charges in Illinois and will be requested to be extradited to Georgia to face charges as well.