Missing juvenile found during I-44 traffic stop; Missouri man charged
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
LACLEDE COUNTY, Mo., (KBSI) — A Missouri man has been charged after a missing Pennsylvania juvenile was located during a traffic stop on Interstate 44, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control said Michael L. Colchado, 18, of Seneca, was arrested April 3 following an investigation involving a missing juvenile and child sexual abuse material.
Authorities said troopers received a tip that the juvenile may be traveling through Laclede County. A vehicle matching the information was located near Conway, where a traffic stop was conducted.
During the stop, troopers found the juvenile in the vehicle driven by Colchado. Investigators said evidence indicated Colchado traveled to Pennsylvania to pick up the juvenile before returning to Missouri. Authorities also reported recovering child sexual abuse material from an electronic device in the vehicle.
Colchado was taken to the Laclede County Sheriff’s Office and placed on an investigative hold. On April 4, the Laclede County Prosecuting Attorney charged him with three felony counts of possession of child pornography.
He is being held in the Laclede County Jail without bond. The juvenile was returned home safely.
The charges are allegations, and Colchado is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
