Twiggs County deputies arrest Dodge County man accused of enticing a 15-year-old girl

Authorities say additional warrants are pending in Twiggs, Gwinnett and Dodge counties.

TWIGGS COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –  A Dodge County man is behind bars after deputies say he was found traveling with a 15-year-old girl he allegedly met in Gwinnett County, according to the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident happened just before midnight on October 15. A deputy stopped a red Chevrolet Avalanche on Highway 129 near Sgoda Road for a tail light violation.

Deputies say the driver, 38-year-old Raymond Stephenson, had a female passenger who did not have identification but claimed to be 17 years old. The deputy noticed both appeared nervous and asked them to step out of the vehicle. Another deputy arrived to assist with the stop.

After further investigation, deputies determined the passenger was actually 15 years old. The sheriff’s office says Stephenson had traveled to Gwinnett County to pick her up and was taking her to his home in Dodge County.

After being read his rights, investigators say Stephenson admitted to having a sexual relationship with the juvenile. He was arrested and charged with enticing a child for indecent purposes.

The girl was released to the Department of Family and Children Services and later reunited with her mother.

Authorities say additional warrants are pending in Twiggs, Gwinnett and Dodge counties. Stephenson remains in the Twiggs County Jail.