According to the Nash County Sheriff's Office, the investigation started after Alejandro Hernandez Vazquez was stopped for a traffic violation on I-95 just after midnight on July 4.
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While questioning Vazquez, deputies became suspicious and asked for consent to search his car. Vazquez granted consent and deputies learned the 16-year-old passenger had been reported missing out of Coral Springs, Florida.
Officers took custody of the teen girl and held her at the Wake County Juvenile Detention Center until her family was able to make the trip from Florida to pick her up.
Deputies said the family didn't know Vazquez and he didn't have permission to take her across state lines.
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"The 16-year-old willfully went with him is what we're seeing at first glance of this investigation," Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone said. "It was not like she was bound in the car and things of that nature, but you know, it's a young 16-year-old and a grown man, and he's manipulated her and carried her across this country. This is a true case of child trafficking."
Officers also found illegal drugs including synthetic cannabinoids.
Vazquez is being held at the Wake County Detention Center with a bond set at $500,000 secured. His bond for the drug violations is $5,000 secured.
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