Officials say it happened on Dec. 7 around 5:06 p.m., when they responded to the 16510 block of the North Freeway for a welfare check.
[Ads /]
The San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office was then told an 18-year-old female had been kidnapped and was being held against her will.
Authorities tracked her cell phone to the 14600 block of Walters Road, where they found her and a 16-year-old girl inside a vehicle in a store parking lot.
The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Tevin McClendon, ran from the scene, but deputies eventually caught him.
McClendon was arrested for outstanding felony warrants for aggravated assault of a family member and a parole violation warrant for evading arrest in a motor vehicle.
Deputies believe McClendon kidnapped the 18-year-old at gunpoint, took her to a motel, sexually assaulted her and planned to take her to Louisiana, where he told her he would force her to have sex for money.
[Ads /]
According to the constable's office, the victim was released to her mother after being evaluated at a local hospital.
Constable Herman says McClendon will also face charges for human trafficking, kidnapping and sexual assault, pending further investigation.
The 16-year-old girl was arrested for an outstanding probation violation through the Juvenile Justice Department for robbery.
Officials did not say if she was also a sex trafficking victim.