A 40 year old Virginia man was taken into custody in Denver after authorities in California said a 12 year old girl from Fresno had been taken from her home and put on a flight east.
Nathan Larson, who lives in Catlett, Virginia, is a former candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates who lost his race in 2017, according to NBC Washington and other outlets. Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims said investigators believe he contacted the girl online starting in mid October and traveled by plane to Fresno to meet her. Larson has not been convicted of any crime, and the charges described here are allegations.
According to the sheriff, the girl left her home in the early hours of Monday morning in a rideshare vehicle bound for the Fresno airport. Her family reported her missing the same day. The Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began investigating after a friend of the girl told authorities she had been talking with a man online.
Fresno Airport Police and Homeland Security Investigations determined the girl was on a flight headed toward Washington, D.C. Airport surveillance video is part of the evidence in the case, Mims said. The plane had a layover in Denver, where local police arrested Larson. The girl was returned home safely that night, officials said.
“This particular case is extremely disturbing,” Mims said at a news conference. Authorities said Larson was booked in Denver on a charge of harboring a minor, and that child abduction and additional felony charges are expected once he is sent to California. Court records at the time showed his first court date was set for December 24. Officials said the charges could carry a sentence of up to life in prison if he is convicted.
Mims also described what she called a disturbing background, pointing to online material connected to Larson. Investigators searched his Virginia home and seized electronic devices. Authorities said a 69 year old man who was at the home was accused of a physical altercation with an agent during the search. He was arrested and later released on bond.
Reports from the time also noted that Larson pleaded guilty in 2009 to sending a threatening email to the Secret Service and received a 16 month sentence. Law enforcement says there could be other victims. Fauquier County Sheriff Robert Mosier said the arrest shows that law enforcement is committed to holding anyone accused of targeting children accountable. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Virginia State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
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Baller Alert will share updates as the case moves through the court system.
