Hamilton County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested a registered Texas sex offender at a Symmes Township gas station Thursday, Nov. 5, after finding him with a 17-year-old girl reported missing from Houston.
Brandon McClerkin, 31, was charged with interference with custody, a fifth-degree felony, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Kyla Woods, as Fox 19 reported.
The arrest grew out of a routine call. Deputies responded to the Speedway gas station at 12006 Montgomery Road to investigate a report of a female panhandler, Woods said.
The call quickly developed into a larger investigation.
Deputies learned the girl had been reported missing from Houston since Nov. 1, according to the Sheriff's Office. Investigators determined she was with McClerkin, whom they identified as a registered sex offender from Texas.
McClerkin was taken to the Hamilton County Justice Center, where he was arraigned Nov. 6. Judge William Mallory set bonds totaling $600,000.
Texas records show McClerkin was convicted of attempted aggravated sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in 2022, Fox 19 reported.
The Sheriff's Office said the teenager will be reunited with her family once arrangements can be made.
