(WXIN/WTTV) — An active-duty U.S. Marine has been arrested after he allegedly traveled from North Carolina to Indiana to kidnap and sexually assault a 12-year-old girl from Lake County.
William Richard Roy was arrested Sunday in Durham, North Carolina, after being tracked down by FBI officials. The 24-year-old’s listed address is Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the active duty Marine now faces the following federal charges:
- 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 into Roy reportedly began on Saturday when the FBI Indianapolis Field Office’s Merrillville Resident Agency received information from local police. A tip from the Hammond Police Department said that a missing 12-year-old girl was believed to be traveling with Roy.
According to the FBI, the missing girl’s grandmother had reported her missing earlier in the day. NewsNation affiliate FOX59/CBS4 sources confirmed Thursday that Roy said he met the child on TikTok, which is where they began communicating.
With the help of U.S. Marshals, it was determined that Roy had allegedly flown to Chicago on Oct. 24. The next day, investigators say he took an Uber to Hammond and met up with the child at a park.
Roy and the victim then allegedly took the Uber back to a Chicago hotel and stayed overnight. The morning after, investigators say they got on a Greyhound bus bound for North Carolina.
When the bus arrived in Durham on Oct. 26, agents from the FBI’s Greensboro office and local officers took Roy into custody and “safely recovered” the 12-year-old.
The investigation into Roy remains active between the FBI’s Indianapolis, Charlotte and Chicago offices. The FBI thanked the Hammond Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance.
Due to this being a federal case, Roy’s mugshot/booking photo has not been made publicly available. FOX59/CBS4 has reached out to the U.S. Marine Corps for a photo of Roy.