CINNCINATI, Ohio (WEHT) — A missing Greenwood, Indiana teen and another girl from Evansville were found hundreds of miles away from their home by authorities in Cincinnati, Ohio.
An FBI agent said the missing Indiana teenage victims were allegedly found at the home of 26-year-old Payton Jamar Brown, who was recently arrested for sex trafficking and sexually exploiting children.
According to an affidavit, Brown met the first victim, a teenage girl from Evansville, on online dating app 3Fun. The victim told interviewers that she traveled to Chicago and Indianapolis before Brown allegedly picked her up and drove them to his home in Cincinnati.
Detectives believe Brown posted photos of the teenager to a website from June to October 2022 to advertise for sexual encounters. According to an affidavit, the victim had sex with numerous men for money, which was then given to Brown.
Additionally, authorities say Brown filmed sexual encounters with the teenager which they then tried to sell to others.
The second victim, a teenage girl from Greenwood, was also allegedly picked up by Brown in Indianapolis and brought to his home in Cincinnati. The Greenwood victim was allegedly friends with the Evansville victim, which is how she became connected with Brown.
After having an estimated 45 sexual encounters with men for money, the Evansville victim drove with Brown to Indianapolis to pick up the Greenwood victim.
U.S. DOJ officials tell us Brown appeared in federal court and has been ordered to remain in custody pending trial.
