Phoenix man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting Georgia teenager

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) – A Phoenix man faces numerous charges after he allegedly picked up a teenage girl in Georgia, took her to Arizona, and sexually abused her. Blane Patterson, 27, was arrested Saturday at his Phoenix home near Seventh Street and McDowell Road, where a 14-year-old girl who was reported missing last month was also found safely.

According to court records, Patterson met the girl online about a year ago and maintained a relationship through social media. Last month he reportedly agreed to go to Georgia and pick her up. According to court records, the girl left a note advising that she was “possibly suicidal” and noting that she was with a loved one who was already dead. She left it at her friend’s house, where she was last seen.

After her disappearance, officers learned the girl had spoken to him online and found text messages about the arranged meeting. The police then asked the FBI for assistance.

Investigators said they found a social media account owned by Patterson that he recently deleted. However, the service provider’s records still contained basic subscriber information and IP addresses. Officers also identified a silver Nissan Versa with an Arizona license plate that arrived at a park near the girl’s last known location and traced the license plate number to Phoenix.

According to court records, Phoenix police and FBI agents were notified and began surveillance of a home where Patterson rented a converted garage. Police forces later searched the location and Patterson was arrested. The teenager was taken to the Family Advocacy Center in Phoenix for questioning. During an interview with investigators, Patterson reportedly claimed he picked the girl up to “save” her from being sexually abused by multiple men in her hometown. He is also said to have admitted to multiple counts of sexual assault. Court documents say the girl told investigators she had known Patterson for about a year and was not afraid of being abused in Georgia, as Patterson claimed.

According to Maricopa County Supreme Court filings, Patterson faces multiple counts of sexual conduct toward a minor and other charges, including kidnapping, interference with custody, and soliciting a minor for sexual exploitation.

Note: Arizona’s family is not identifying the teen because she is a suspected sexual assault victim.

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