Adam Vladimir Gurney
By Becky Long
Publisher
A Clay County teen was safely located after an investigation revealed the victim had been transported out of state by a man met through a social media platform.
As a result, the suspect Adam Vladimir Gurney, 29, is facing a child trafficking charge in Wisconsin.
On Tuesday, Aug. 12 the Clay County Sheriff’s Office received the report regarding the missing teen and investigator Steven Smith was assigned to the case, according to Sheriff Mark Buchanan. Evidence revealed that the juvenile had been transported to Wisconsin.
Smith coordinated with the Cherokee Indian Police Department and the Janesville Police Department in Wisconsin.
Acting on a tip from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Janesville police took Gurney into custody after they put him under surveillance and saw him enter a vehicle with the minor, according to Wisconsin news reports.
“Through this cooperative effort, the juvenile was safely located,” Buchanan said.
Gurney, 29, of Janesville, Wisc. was taken into custody without incident. He remains in custody in Wisconsin and will face extradition to North Carolina where he will face charges relating to the felony abduction of a minor.
The investigation is continuing and will include the forensic analysis of digital evidence.
“No further information will be released at this time to protect the privacy of the juvenile and to maintain the integrity of this multi-jurisdictional investigation,” Buchanan said.