Fla. Man Arrested in Kidnapping of 10-Year-Old Girl
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A 38-year-old man was arrested Wednesday and charged with last week’s abduction of a 10-year-old girl who was snatched getting off her school bus and released three days later.
The arrest came hours after investigators seized a green Jeep Cherokee from one of two homes searched Wednesday. Investigators said the vehicle matched the description of the one used in the March 6 kidnapping outside Trenton.
The suspect, James Paul Johnson, was picked up at a mental health center in Alachua County, where he had checked himself in, authorities said.
“With this arrest, the community can rest a little easier tonight,” said Ken Tucker, regional director of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Alachua County Sheriff Stephen Oelrich said a member of the public came forward and pointed investigators toward Johnson. He said the woman described both his car and his home.
Johnson is charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of kidnapping with special circumstances. The special circumstances are lewd and lascivious acts against a child under the age of 13.
He also was charged with one count of sexual battery on a child under the age of 11.
Johnson was being held in Alachua County Jail in lieu of $1 million bond, pending a court appearance scheduled for today.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
