Man pleads guilty in kidnapping of Mesa girl
Jeffrey VanWagoner
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 06/28/2012
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By: Associated Press
MESA, AZ - A convicted child molester accused of briefly kidnapping a young Mesa girl last year has pleaded guilty in the case.
Maricopa County prosecutors say 49-year-old Jeffrey Mark VanWagoner pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted kidnapping and attempted sexual conduct with a minor. A sentencing date hasn't been set yet.
VanWagoner was arrested in January 2011 after allegedly grabbing a 9-year-old girl, dragging her into his vehicle and driving away.
The girl's 11-year-old friend witnessed the abduction and gave Mesa police a description of the kidnapper and the car.
The abducted girl was later released and wasn't harmed, and police later located and arrested VanWagoner.
Police say VanWagoner is a Level 2 sex offender from a prior conviction for child molestation and sexual conduct with a minor.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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