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COLUMBUS — The Columbus Police Department potentially took a stand against child trafficking in Colorado County as they successfully arrested a man allegedly connected with the disappearance of a 12-year-old girl in Missouri City the week prior.
Sirterryon Preston, 27, from Houston was arrested on March 1 and charged for evading arrest after being investigated for his connection to the missing child. According to prev ious reports, the Houston Police Department expressed concern that the 12-year-old may have been a trafficking victim.
Just before 1 p.m., the Columbus Police Department learned that the subject of an AMBER Alert was potentially within city limits according to a press release by CPD.
After a short investigation, the Police Department found the party allegedly responsible for the 12-year-olds disappearance. Preston was approached with intent for arrest just outside of a Shell gas station at 2213 Hwy 71.
Preston attempted to flee police custody before being captured and detained by police.
Preston was taken to the Colorado County Detention Facility following the arrest. The FBI will continue an investigation to determine other applicable charges.
The child was recovered and taken to the Texas Children’s Hospital to be evaluated for damages.
She was first reported to be missing on Feb. 23 after last being seen the prior day allegedly leaving her home and entering a “dark Dodge Ram.”
Despite the first report coming in on Friday, Feb. 23, an AMBER Alert was not issued by the police until Wednesday, Feb. 28 after additional interviews led to new information that heightened the urgency of her situation.
HPD reported that the child may have been on the adult social media app “Tagged”, though it never clarified the potential connection to her disappearance.
The FBI, the Sheriff’s Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as well as the Texas Department of Public Safety all assisted CPD in the rescue operation.
