Man in custody after allegedly kidnapping teen
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man who allegedly kidnapped a 14-year-old girl from her Memphis home on Friday is now in custody.
Diego Velasquez-Espino, 19, is in custody in DeSoto County jail after he was arrested. Police say during the kidnapping he was armed and wearing a mask.
An Amber Alert was issued later before the pair were located roughly seven hours after the kidnapping in Southaven.
Man charged with aggravated kidnapping in connection to teen's abduction
Velasquez-Espino has been charged with kidnapping, fugitive from justice, and a recent charge of statutory rape. Records show charges were listed for a warrant for him including aggravated assault and kidnapping.
Just before 7 p.m., Memphis Police say he kidnapped the 14-year-old girl off Knightway Road in Parkway Village. Roughly seven hours after the accused abduction, U.S. Marshals as well as Southaven Police found the child off Stateline Road West in Southaven.
Velasquez-Espino's home address is listed in the area where the girl was located.
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DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton says he was in Memphis when he heard about the Amber Alert.
'I saw the Amber Alert like everybody else and said, 'Oh, geez, what's going on in Memphis?' And then it made its way down to Southaven. And so I know there is a coordinated effort across state lines and multiple agencies to work hard on this,' said DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton.
He says the swift action of law enforcement highlights the two cities being good neighbors across state lines.
It's unclear when exactly Velasquez-Espino will be extradited to Shelby County. Reports show he is set to appear in court on Wednesday.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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