MPD arrest man on kidnapping, trafficking for sex charges

Merdian police arrested 32-year-old Johnathan Salazar on Thursday night in connection to a kidnapping that originated out of Hamilton County in Tennessee.

Officers say the relationship between the 15-year-old girl and Salazar began through social media, but the juvenile was under the impression that Salazar was 18 years old.

“About 10:30 last night, our dispatch center received a call from Tennessee, wanting us to go check the area around Tru hotel to see if they can locate two vehicles that were linked to a kidnapping in Tennessee", stated MPD, Sgt. Heather Luebbers. "Officers got there, located the two vehicles, and made contact with the clerk. Officers were able to find the room they were in, and that's where they recovered the juvenile and took a suspect into custody. The suspect is being charged with aggravated kidnapping, trafficking for commercial sex acts, and solicitation of a minor.”

The suspect will be held locally until the transfer to Tennessee. The juvenile has been released to Hamilton County deputies to be returned to her family.