An Alpharetta man has been arrested on charges that he conspired with a Maryland man in the kidnapping and sex trafficking of a 14-year-old girl.
The GBI says 23-year-old Nicolas Fernandez was arrested Tuesday at the University of Georgia in Athens on a long list of felony charges. The GBI says Fernandez is a student at the University.
The girl was reported missing from Sparks, Georgia in April of this year. Sparks is in Cook County between Tifton and Valdosta.
An investigation led them to find her at a residence in Chesterton, Maryland. A press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) says that so far, she is the only victim who has been identified, although the investigation is ongoing.
Nicolas Fernandez has been charged with sex trafficking of a minor, enticing a minor, trafficking, child molestation, aggravated child molestation, statutory rape, and kidnapping. Several of these charges are duplicated in both Cook County and Athens-Clarke County.
In July, Fernandez was previously arrested in Cook County for conspiracy to commit interstate interference with custody, interference with custody, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The Maryland man that was an accomplice in the kidnapping and sex trafficking now has a warrant out for his arrest, as well. Brady Hart, 50, of Chestertown, Maryland faces similar charges.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI’s Regional Office in Douglas, GA at (912) 389-4103 or the Sparks Police Department at (229) 546-8211. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
