(WXIN/WTTV) A U.S. Marine on active duty has been apprehended, accused of traveling from North Carolina to Indiana with the intent to abduct and sexually assault a 12-year-old girl from Lake County.
William Richard Roy, age 24, was detained on Sunday in Durham, North Carolina. Authorities, including the FBI, tracked him down to his listed residence at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that Roy is now facing several federal charges related to the incident.
- Enticement of a Minor to Travel for Illicit Sexual Activity
- Transportation of a Minor to Engage in Illicit Sexual Activity
- Interstate Travel with Intent to Engage in a Sexual Act with a Minor
The investigation reportedly commenced on Saturday when the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office, specifically the Merrillville Resident Agency, received crucial information from local law enforcement. The Hammond Police Department tipped off the FBI, suspecting that a missing 12-year-old girl might be in the company of Roy.
According to FBI reports, the girl’s grandmother had reported her missing earlier that day. It was later confirmed by FOX59/CBS4 sources on Thursday that Roy had initially connected with the child through TikTok, where their communication began.
