Newton County Sheriff addresses social media rumors

Rumors can spread like crazy around social media. Newton County Sheriff Chris Jennings released the following statement about some recent ones they’ve seen:

“Apparently there are stories circulating on social media that a kidnapping and sex trafficking ring is operating in Newton County. We have no reason to believe this is true. On 08-25-20, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a woman saying she had been held against her will. A 17-year-old woman stated that she was not allowed to leave a house at 11232 Poppy Lane the previous night. We did take a 19-year-old man into custody and are requesting charges on him for Third Degree Kidnapping. This is a Class A Misdemeanor. The Sheriff’s Office is still investigating but this appears to be an isolated incident involving only one victim. There does not appear to be any other women involved as is being reported on social media.”