Illinois child sex offender arrested in kidnapping of 13-year-old from central Georgia

COCHRAN, Ga. — Police have arrested an Illinois man in connection with the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl from central Georgia.

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The teen, who Channel 2 is not identifying because she is a victim, was reported missing last week from her home in Cochran and was later found safe in Springfield, Illinois.

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On Sunday, police arrested Zachery Despain, 36, of Springfield. He’s been charged with enticing a child for indecent purposes, trafficking a person for labor or sexual servitude, kidnapping and interference with custody.

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Despain is also facing multiple charges in Illinois in connection with the case.

Despain is a registered child sex offender in Illinois. According to the Illinois sex offender database, he was previously convicted of aggravated criminal sex abuse against a 14-year-old when he was 18.

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