Police find missing girl in hotel room
Prosecutors filed an 11-count criminal complaint against a Clintonville man.
Elijah R. Kerrigan, 35, is charged with kidnapping by deceit, first-degree sexual assault of a child, child enticement with sexual contact, possession of child pornography, child sexual exploitation and false imprisonment.
He also faces felony and misdemeanor drug charges including delivery of methamphetamine to a minor, distribution to a minor, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On Jan. 8, state and federal agents met with Shawano police to assist in the investigation of a missing 15-year-old girl.
According to the criminal complaint, the girl had been missing since Dec. 31 and on Jan. 8, her mother received a text message indicating the girl would die unless the mother paid a $2,500 ransom.
Investigators interviewed the girl’s friends and learned the girl was with an older man named Elijah Kerrigan.
They also learned Clintonville police had responded to a call on Jan. 7 that the odor of marijuana was coming from a room at the Landmark Motel on North Main Street.
The room was registered to Kerrigan, and the police had been unable to make contact with the occupants.
On Jan. 8, special agents with the FBI and the state Division of Criminal Investigations went to the Landmark and showed the girl’s photo to staff, who said the girl was staying in Kerrigan’s room.
The agents arrested Kerrigan and found the girl.
They also reported finding meth, marijuana, a glass pipe and three debit cards with names other than Kerrigan’s.
The girl told investigators Kerrigan had always been a father figure to her, the complaint says.
She also reportedly told them Kerrigan provided her with meth and marijuana because they helped with her anxiety.
A download of Kerrigan’s cellphone had a video that appeared to be sexual activity between Kerrigan and the girl.
Kerrigan is currently in custody on a $50,000 cash bond.