Edit Transcript

Language

Format

Source

Auto-generated

Yes

Confidence

Content

You're 37 and you're friends with a 16-year-old girl? So, how did you meet her? Where at specifically? >> Uh at my hotel room. >> A traffic stop quickly spirals into a horrifying investigation after police discover a missing teenage girl traveling with a 37-year-old man. >> Yeah, it's like textbook traffic. >> Yeah. Here. His girl His girl >> In the evening hours of March 8th, 2026, a deputy makes a traffic stop in Crescent City, Florida. However, as he speaks with the driver, 37-year-old Joshua McGrath, and the young girl sitting beside him, it becomes clear that something isn't quite right. >> What's up, my brother? How are you? >> How you doing, officer? >> Good. I'm Deputy Trini with the Sheriff's Office. Ma'am, how are you this evening? >> I am fine. >> Good. Reason why I stopped you, I was pacing at 62 in a 60. Do you have your driver's license, registration, insurance on you? >> No. >> Young lady, you wouldn't happen to have your ID on you, would you? >> He said, "That's my little cousin." >> That's your cousin? >> She's She's 16. >> What? 16? What's your name, young lady? >> Huh? >> Your name? >> Huh? >> Your name? >> My name is Brandy Lewis. >> Brandy Lewis? >> Prior to the traffic stop, the deputy had already crossed paths with the pair at a Circle K gas station. As he drove past them in the parking lot, both occupants ducked down in their seats. It was an unusual reaction, possibly hinting that something or someone inside the vehicle wasn't meant to be seen. >> And your birthday? >> Um October >> What year? >> 2000 I wouldn't be here. I'm sorry. I believe it's like What? 2000 12, 13? >> 2013? >> 14, maybe? I'm going to be 15 in October. >> The deputy conducts a records check, but what comes back only adds to his growing suspicion. >> Here's the thing. All right, the name and the information you gave me doesn't come back to anything. Additionally, with the date of birth of 2013 you said? >> Well, I >> That hold on. Hold on. >> That's fine. >> 2013 makes you 13 years old. >> Okay, so it's >> So, I need you to write your full name and your birthday right on this pad of paper for me, okay? So, that's a different name than what you gave me. So, why is that? >> Um well, I um >> What happened? >> Go and hop out for me. Step out. Yep, come on out. Why would you give me a bad name? Do you have a warrant for something? >> Um no, I just have a bad um what-you-ma-call-it. >> I'm not resisting. I I really don't got time for that. I'm already black. I'm not even like I really don't got time for this. I really don't. >> The girl, while initially hesitant, finally provides the deputy with her real identity. However, he soon learns much more than that as a troubling revelation transforms the encounter into something far more serious. >> Who is that young lady to you? >> She's my friend. Um I met her um that's all right. >> In Charlotte? >> Salisbury. >> How old are you? You're 37 and you're friends with a 16-year-old girl? >> She's not 16. >> Well, how old is she? >> I think she's She's 19. >> 19? >> She's entered in as missing. >> Huh? >> Yeah. The girl's mother reported her missing on February 2nd out of Gastonia, North Carolina, nearly 480 miles from Crescent City, Florida. Now, investigators must piece together how she ended up so far from home with a man who her mother says is a complete stranger. >> How do you know this young man? >> He's a friend of a family member and like we got multiple connections or whatever. He's very trusted by family. >> How long have you known >> I'd say probably since I was like 11. >> Can we be honest? >> Please. >> I'm being honest with you. >> How long have you How long have you guys known each other? >> We've known each other now for probably about a month. >> So how did you meet her? >> We met in public. >> You just met her randomly in public? >> Yes, sir. >> Where at specifically? >> Uh at my hotel room. >> Mhm. She's 19. >> That's what she told me. >> Okay. >> But the missing girl is in fact 16 and concern for her well-being continues to escalate after officers search through Joshua's car. >> There is money all over the place. >> This one? >> No, under the >> This one? >> Looks like a couple of them. I didn't find anything in there. Fake money. >> Hey, do me a favor. Grab that wig out of there so I can take a picture of that. >> Or mirrors? >> So with human trafficking >> It's pretty common. >> It's pretty pretty common for them to wear different kind of wigs and Yeah. Um she wanted a purse. So I collected it. There's a nail a performance drug in her purse. Her breath reeks of booze. >> Officers would also discover a printer, 19 counterfeit $100 bills, and drug paraphernalia inside of the vehicle. >> These printing logs? >> Mhm. >> That my friend is 1,010% a federal crime. >> But this is only the tip of the iceberg as one discovery will soon expose a sickening secret. For now, Joshua continues telling his side of the story. >> How did she get to your hotel room? >> She was there. I don't know. >> Did anything engage in this hotel room? >> No, sir. >> And then you're telling me from there she's just been with you ever since? >> Um pretty much. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah? >> For the most part, yes. >> You guys kind of like in a relationship or something? >> No, we're just friends. >> So, where were you guys headed to? >> Right now? >> Yeah. >> Um Orlando. >> Orlando. What's in Orlando? >> Um hopefully some arcades. >> Some arcades? >> Yes, sir. >> Now, arcades you're talking about like gambling games? >> Yes, sir. >> Well, just so you know, those are illegal. So, >> Oh, they shut them down. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> The girl, however, tells a different version of events, claiming that she and Joshua traveled to the state for a friend's birthday. >> Ma'am, this was all planned It's all planned. We all came as a group. Yes, other people that's on the highway. It's like three other cars that we came with. One of y'all deputies helped us when we got here cuz we had run out of gas on the side of the road. >> In Putnam County? >> No, not It was in uh I think No, it was in um Jacksonville. >> So, how long have you been away from home? >> I'd say probably about like What's today? Sunday. >> Yep. >> Okay, so it's probably been like since Thursday. >> So, you left Thursday and it's Sunday and you guys >> are going back home this >> Well, home is >> that way. What's that way? >> You guys are going south. >> What's that? It's like that's where we're traveling. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. History of history. >> Okay, all right. >> According to court documents, Joshua's previous offenses include several drug convictions, possession of a firearm by a felon, resisting an officer, and interfering with emergency communications. But, a shocking piece of evidence reveals a far more disturbing side of Joshua than his criminal record ever had. >> I don't know what's going on, sir. I'm >> I got >> I swear to God, I was drugged. >> The case would soon draw the attention of federal authorities after investigators obtained search warrants for both of their phones. During their examination, they discovered several sexually explicit videos depicting the teenager and the 37-year-old on the girl's device. Additional sexually explicit images of the teen were also recovered from both Joshua and the girl's phone. >> I'm talking to I'm 16, but when this could be on my Just because I got them chose to ride with me. I don't got time for this. I don't >> Just just relax. [crying] Just relax. >> What do these people got going on? >> Just relax, okay? Now, I Listen, I told you you're not in any trouble. >> No, but it's too much. I don't know what all this is going on. I just WANT TO GO HOME. >> THE 16-year-old was placed in the temporary custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families until she could be reunited with her mother. Joshua, on the other hand, was placed under arrest and transported to the Putnam County Jail. According to court records, he was later handed over to federal custody and charged with one count of production of and one count of transportation of a minor to engage in criminal activity. The case is still ongoing. Watch our full videos as they were originally made with no randomly muted words or details cut. We've also dropped brand new EWU videos available only on EWU Plus, available now on iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, and Google TV. Download EWU Plus and see what you've been missing.

Cancel