MEADE COUNTY, S.D. - A Bellevue, Nebraska man has been arraigned on charges for allegedly kidnapping a teenage girl in Meade County, South Dakota. Sean Carlos Payne, age 33, faces charges of Kidnapping, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity, and Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet.

Court documents reveal that Payne was arrested after a high-speed chase near Rawlins, Wyoming, with the 13-year-old girl in his vehicle. Payne is accused of communicating with the minor using various internet-based applications and chat platforms prior to the alleged abduction on Oct. 20, 2024. He's also accused of soliciting sexually explicit images of her and sexually abused her before crossing state lines with her to engage in further illegal sex.

According to the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, just as an Amber Alert was issued for the missing girl at around 11:50 a.m. on Oct. 20, the Wyoming Highway Patrol located the suspect.

“Quick thinking by the 911 dispatchers, who sent messages to all surrounding states, with possible vehicle descriptions was the key to finding this kid,” said Meade County Sheriff Pat West. “The amount of resources that came to bear on this case in a short amount of time is once again a testament to the working cooperation between agencies across the state. Saving a young child from a wanted predator is a win for us today.”

Payne has an extensive multi-state criminal history, including an Iowa conviction from June 2024, for attempted enticement of a minor. He also has been charged in Nebraska with aggravated assault, domestic violence, and terroristic threats.

Paine has pleaded not guilty. A trial date has not been set. He faces 20 years up to life in prison.