JUSTIN EDWARD STEPHENS | 43yo Man Posed As 15yo Girl’s Father So He Could Pick Her Up From School (seen on tape), Then Took Her To A Restaurant Before Raping Her At A Nearby Hotel | Autographed Letter Signed

Justin E. Stephens. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Birmingham, AL. November 25, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.

Overview of the Case Against Justin Edward Stephens

Justin Edward Stephens, a 43-year-old man from Lownasville, Kentucky, has been charged with serious criminal offenses including rape, traveling to meet a child for sex, and enticing a child to enter a vehicle or house. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on September 18, 2024, involving a 15-year-old girl.

Details of the Incident

According to court records and investigative reports, Stephens posed as the father of the victim in order to check her out of Central High School. He contacted the school around 9 AM, claiming he was picking up his daughter. Surveillance footage confirmed that the girl got into Stephens’ truck after he successfully checked her out of school.

After leaving the school, Stephens took the girl to a restaurant for a meal before proceeding to a local hotel where he allegedly raped her. The victim was returned to Central High School later that afternoon around 2 PM. This timeline indicates that Stephens had several hours with the victim during which he exploited her vulnerability.

Communication Between Victim and Perpetrator

Investigators revealed that Stephens and the victim had been communicating through social media platforms prior to this incident. They initially connected via an application called Wakie, which is known as a dating app, and later transitioned their conversations to Instagram. This aspect highlights concerns regarding online safety for minors and the potential dangers associated with meeting individuals from social media.

Discovery of the Crime

The situation came to light when the victim’s parents discovered she had access to a phone she was not supposed to have. After taking disciplinary action by confiscating her phone, they searched it and found evidence related to her communication with Stephens. Concerned about their daughter’s safety, they brought the phone to One Place, a crisis care service in the Shoals area specializing in handling cases of child abuse and sexual assault.

Legal Proceedings

Following these revelations, law enforcement officials issued warrants for Stephens’ arrest. He was located in Ohio and subsequently taken into custody. As of now, he is being held at Lauderdale County Detention Center on a bond set at $365,000. If released on bond, he would be required to surrender his passport and maintain no contact with the victim.

Additionally, there are indications that further charges may be filed against him in Colbert County due to his actions occurring within that jurisdiction as well.

Conclusion

This case underscores critical issues surrounding child safety in both physical environments (like schools) and digital spaces (social media). It highlights the importance of parental monitoring of children’s online interactions and raises awareness about potential risks associated with engaging strangers through social platforms.

VIDEO: Man charged with rape pretended to be father to check girl out of school | https://youtu.be/vmd-CosZQfY

Archiving Protocol:

• Handled with White Gloves ab initio

• Photo Pages/Sheet Protectors: Heavyweight Clear Sheet Protectors, Acid Free & Archival Safe, 8.5 × 11, Top Load

• White Backing Board – Acid Free

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