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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) — The Washington County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged a man with kidnapping and drug-related offenses on Thursday.
A release from the sheriff’s office said Deputy B. Thomas observed a vehicle traveling at 91 mph on Interstate 81 near mile marker 23.1 before initiating a traffic stop.
During the traffic stop, the deputy communicated with the driver, who spoke only Spanish, through a translation app. When the driver opened his glove compartment to retrieve his registration, the deputy allegedly saw drug paraphernalia inside.
Further investigation revealed that a passenger in the car was a 13-year-old runaway who had not yet been reported missing. The two were allegedly heading to Middle Tennessee.
The sheriff’s office identified the driver as Elias Garcia-Ramon, 21, of Murfreesboro. Garcia-Ramon was charged with the following:
- Possession Schedule I or II Drugs
- Contribute to Delinquency, Abuse of Child
- Reckless Driving, Excessive Speed
- Abduction and Kidnapping
Garcia-Ramon is being held at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail without bond.
The sheriff’s office said it is working with immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to verify Garcia-Ramon’s immigration status.