GUILTY TX - Jacob West for kidnap, sexual abuse of 14yo girl, Houston, 2013

[SCHMAE]

Let's not forget to pray for his family. Poor wife and kids. Since he'll be locked up they won't even get support not to mention the horrible stigma this guy has put on them. What a careless, selfish man. I hope they were not victims as well.

 

[jjenny]

I would think they could file kidnapping charges (even tho she went willingly) and since he crossed state lines with her, isn't that a federal offense? He could be looking at a very long sentence.

But since she voluntarily run off with him, can they bring kidnapping charges?

 

[cluciano63]

But since she voluntarily run off with him, can they bring kidnapping charges?

Is her age a factor, can she legally agree to go away with an adult?

 

[jjenny]

Is her age a factor, can she legally agree to go away with an adult?

I don't know.

 

[tlcya]

there was a long post by another member a few pages back with links and quotes from the appropriate statues regarding kidnapping. Gist of it is, yes, it is kidnapping.

She cannot agree to go with him willingly because she is a minor so the permission is not hers to give or take, it belongs to her parents or legal guardians. Much like with voluntary sexual contact, it would not be considered voluntary in the eyes of the law because she is a minor, under the age of 17 (the age of consent in that state)

It took me forever to find this thread because it once had her name and now only has her initials. How silly of me not to realize that her name would have been changed to initials in the title due to the charges levied against West.

Very glad to see she has been located.

ETA link to hollyblue's post regarding the statues that apply Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community - View Single Post - Found Safe TX - AMBER ALERT: HW, 14, Houston, 22 Jan 2013 - taken from her home by man

 

[Considering]

The charges begin to mount...

He also faces two charges in St. Lucie County: Lewd and lascivious behavior to a victim between 12 and 16 years old and grand theft of a firearm.

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region...emale-in-ft-pierce-hotel-according-to-sheriff


Bond amounts now pending on the two Flordia charges:

http://www.stluciesheriff.com/inmate_profile.php?inmate_id=224059


West's mugshot is still not appearing on the St. Lucie county site, but I think it is seen at the beginning of this video. To view the video, click on the link below, then scroll down and click on "Amber Alert suspect faces charges in St. Lucie...". Sorry, but I can't find a way to link the video directly.

http://www.wptv.com/generic/news/latest-news-videos

 

[ImWithTheBand]

West's mugshot is still not appearing on the St. Lucie county site, but I think it is seen at the beginning of this video. To view the video, click on the link below, then scroll down and click on "Amber Alert suspect faces charges in St. Lucie...". Sorry, but I can't find a way to link the video directly.

http://www.wptv.com/generic/news/latest-news-videos

Screenshot from video at above link:

 

[Seajay]

If him being behind bars is the only way to keep her from him, then all the better. He's a lunatic to think this was appropriate. He belongs off the streets for good so he doesn't prey on other underaged girls. What was he thinking??? Nevermind. He wasn't thinking with the right head.

This poor girl needs therapy now because of him. He's the adult, one of them should have been mature enough to know better. So happy she was found safe. Whew!

 

[rachaellouise]

eesh, he definitely has a face only a mother could love.

 

[Tugela]

Not necessarily.

To get the arrest warrant, LE had to submit an affidavit of probable cause to the judge.

That is an arrest warrant though. I thought you had to actually appear before a judge to be formally charged.

 

[OkieGranny]

From September 2013:

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/...ith-Neighbors-Teenage-Daughter-225353152.html

Jacob Daniel West, 34, of Conroe, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for taking a neighbor's underage daughter on a week-long multistate trip..

West pleaded guilty in July to transporting a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity.