Tennessee Man Arrested With Missing Ohio Teen Faces Life in Prison

Stephen L. Negron accused of transporting minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:19pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered smartphone screen, the cracked glass and twisted metal conceptually representing the trauma experienced by the victim of an online predator.The damaged remains of a young victim's cellphone, a grim symbol of the exploitation and control exerted by an online predator.Palatka Today

A 42-year-old Tennessee man has been charged with federal crimes after he was arrested in a Florida hotel room with a 16-year-old girl reported missing from Ohio. Authorities allege Stephen L. Negron transported the victim with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and he now faces a potential life sentence in federal prison.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious threat of child exploitation and the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable minors from predatory adults. The charges against Negron reflect the gravity of the alleged crimes and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat human trafficking and the sexual abuse of children.

The details

According to the federal indictment, Negron allegedly promised the 16-year-old victim a 'better life' and turned off her cellphone on February 13, before transporting her from Ohio to Florida. Security camera footage and license plate readers were used to track Negron's movements. Authorities also discovered Negron was the subject of a protective order issued in Texas related to another 16-year-old he allegedly met online in 2023.

  • On February 16, the victim was reported missing from her home in Colerain, Ohio.
  • On March 12, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Negron's Tennessee home and found evidence leading them to a hotel in Palatka, Florida.
  • On March 13, FBI agents arrested Negron and the missing Ohio teen at the Florida hotel.

The players

Stephen L. Negron

A 42-year-old Tennessee man who was arrested and charged with federal crimes for allegedly transporting a missing 16-year-old girl from Ohio to Florida with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

The 16-year-old victim

A teenage girl from Colerain, Ohio who was reported missing on February 16 and later found with Negron in a Florida hotel room.

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What they’re saying

“There was no way to get away from him during her traumatic ordeal.”

— The 16-year-old victim

“Negron said he would have met up with her even if she were younger than 16.”

— The 16-year-old victim

What’s next

Negron is facing a potential life sentence in federal prison if convicted on the charges of transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The case will now proceed through the federal court system.

The takeaway

This disturbing case underscores the urgent need to protect vulnerable minors from predatory adults who seek to exploit and abuse them. It highlights the critical role of law enforcement in tracking down missing children and bringing perpetrators to justice, while also emphasizing the importance of community vigilance in reporting suspicious activity to authorities.