What's your name, young lady? >> Huh? >> Your name? >> Huh? >> Your name? >> My name is Bernie. >> And your birthday? >> Um, October 15th. >> What year? >> 2000. >> The year. I'm sorry. >> Year. I'm sorry. >> This teenager has just given fake information about herself during a simple speeding traffic stop. And she's going to repeat the lie two more times. Well, >> that's a different name than what you gave me. So why is that? >> Um well uh but what this deputy does not yet know is that there is a disturbing reason behind the girl's lie [music] and that he is on the verge of solving a month-long missing child case with the man sitting beside her not being a trusted adult but a predator with sinister plans of his own. >> You're a detective, right? >> Mhm. >> Let me ask you this. Is there any way that I can get out of this situation? Is there anything that I could do to get out of the situation that I'm in right now? >> Around 9:40 p.m. on the night of March 8th, 2026, a Putham County Sheriff's deputy notices this car speeding in a 60 mph zone and initiates a traffic stop in an area in Crescent City, Florida. But what he doesn't know is that before the night is over, the traffic stop will become the least of his concerns with a child's safety suddenly at stake. >> What's up, my brother? How are you? >> How you doing, Austin? >> Good. I'm Deputy Truning with the sheriff's office, ma'am. How are you this evening? >> Good. Here's stopping you. I was paced at 62 and a 60. Do you have your driver's license registration insurance? All right. >> Sorry about that. >> No, you're all right, brother. How's everyone doing this evening? >> All right. How about yourself? >> Good, man. I can't complain. >> Tired. There's my wallet. It's probably in my coat in my bag. >> No, you're good, bro. >> Young lady, you wouldn't happen to have your ID on you, would you? >> No, sir. That's my little cousin. >> That's your cousin? Yes, sir. >> She's 16. >> 16? Yes, sir. >> What's your name, young lady? >> Huh? >> Your name? >> Huh? >> Your name? >> My name is Brandy Lewis. >> Brandy Lewis. >> Can you spell that for me? >> B R A N D Y Lewis. L E W I S. >> Middle name? >> Takib. >> And your birthday? >> Um, from October the 15th. >> What year? >> 200 year. I'm sorry. It's not year. I'm sorry. >> That's why I needed your >> Yeah. Okay. I believe it's like what? 201 12 13 >> 2013 >> 14 maybe >> he says Brandy T Lewis 10 >> 14 I'm going to do 15 in October >> okay so it's Brandy T Lewis 10 >> 15 >> of what year >> it's either 12 or 13 I'm not going >> 10 15 or 12 here. >> All right, give me a couple seconds. Okay. >> It doesn't take a genius to realize that the girl sitting next to the driver, 37year-old Joshua McGrath, is giving the deputy a fake name and age. But what he doesn't know yet is that it will take time before her real identity and the disturbing reason she is inside Joshua's car comes to light. For now, as the deputy attempts to speak with the pair again, he is about to realize that getting any truthful information from either of them is not going to be easy. Hey, Brandy. So, do you want to be Here's the thing, right? The name and the information you gave me doesn't come back to anything. Additionally, you said you're going to be 15 or 16 this year, correct? >> 2013. >> 15 with the date of birth of 2013, you said. >> Well, that Hold on. >> Hold on. >> That's fine. >> 2013 makes you 13 years old. >> Okay. So, I need you to write your full name and your birthday right on this pad of paper for me. Okay. Exactly how you spelled. >> Oh, that's a different name than what you gave me. So, why is that? Um, well, I um What ahead. >> Go ahead and hop out for me. Yep. Come on out. Hop out now. Sir, >> I would tell the cop. >> Sit right there. Dude, >> do not move. Do you understand me? >> It's up to the car. >> It's all >> Get out of the car. >> I'm I'm trying to >> do you hear me? Her name Why? >> I'm sorry. I'm just trying to get him to contact with my mother. I'm sorry. >> Turn around. You don't want me to get in. >> Yeah. Why would you give me a bad name? Do you have a warrant or something? >> Um, no. I just have a bad um whatchamacallit a bad what's it? >> So, what is your birthday? >> I'm not resisting. I I really don't got time for that. I'm already black. I'm not even like I really don't got time for this. I really don't I don't even gave me another name. >> I don't even stay nowhere down here. We're only 35. >> Nowhere down here. I don't say nowhere over here. My parents can't even pick me up. The only person that going to pick me up is my walk. >> Turn around and come get me. >> Walk this way. >> Like for real. And all I have to do is beach for the first time. Oh my. >> Hop in here. >> Hop in there. >> Can you go get my stuff? Please hop in there, >> please. >> By now, the deputy has already sensed that something is seriously off between Joshua and the young girl, who has now admitted that she is actually 16 years old. But as backup deputies arrive, none of them realize they are on the verge of uncovering a shocking truth about the girl and Joshua's real intentions with her. >> She gave me three fake names 102 with another male. Go and hop out for me, horner. Yes, sir. Walk over here. Anything? You got anything on you? Poke me hurt me. >> Do you have a medical card? >> Correct. Is there any on your person? >> Um, no sir. >> Okay. Cuz I smell. So, did you smoke? >> I had some earlier. >> Look, I'm not I'm not looking I'm not looking to some weed. >> Yes, sir. I had some. Give me one second, but I'm going to get you the number in a second. >> So, before I ask you any questions, I'm going to read your rights and ask you some questions. Do you understand? Yes, sir. >> Doesn't mean you're under arrest. It doesn't mean you're in trouble. >> I just want to protect you. I want to protect me. Let me get a call from me right here for Nope. Turn around. Turn. Yep. Take a seat. Let me see your phones real quick. Excuse me. >> Good sir, bro. What's your first name, partner? >> My first name? My first name is Joshua. >> Joshua? >> Yes, sir. I'm Debbie Tuning with the Button County Sheriff's Office. I'm going to read your constitutional rights and ask some questions. Do you understand? >> Yes, sir. >> What's the highest grade you finish? >> Um, uh, HSE, high school equivalent. >> High school equivalent. So, GED. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. So, you have a basic common understanding of the English language, right? >> Yes, sir. >> All right. So, you understand everything I read to you? >> Yes, sir. >> All right. Who is that young lady to you? >> That's my friend. >> That's your friend? Yes, sir. >> How do you know your Um, I met her um in Charlotte. >> In Charlotte. How old are you? 37. >> You're 37. And you're friends with a 16-year-old girl? >> She's not 16. >> How old is she? >> She's 19. >> 19. She's entered in as missing. >> Huh? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. She gave me like three different names, three birthdays, all kinds of Dude, >> I don't know what she exactly what she got going on. >> All right. Where did you pick her up from? >> Uh, I met her in Charlotte. >> You met her in Charlotte? >> Where were you guys headed to? >> Uh, we was just riding around looking for uh I play I play uh arcade machines. So, I was just riding around looking for some arcade machine, but it don't look like y'all got them no more. It look like it shut them down. So, where were you guys headed to >> right now? >> Yeah. >> Orlando. What's in Orlando? >> Hopefully some arcades. >> Arcades? No. Arcades? Like gambling games? See, before those are legal, so >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Probably going to head to uh family and friends down here, too. So, I probably going to go see my friend >> and then head back home. >> All right. Give me a couple seconds. Okay, bub. >> Yes, sir. All right. You >> mind just watching real quick? >> Yep. >> With both Joshua and the girl constantly changing their stories about their relationship, the deputy realizes Joshua is hiding something disturbing about how he really knows her and how they met. But before the truth comes out, deputies will make even more disturbing discoveries inside the car, exposing a concerning picture of what may have happened to the girl. Yeah, not too bad. Had a guy yell at me, so I mean that was exciting, but other than that, not too bad. >> What he yell at you for? >> He was upset cuz I was at his house late in the day doing a defender check, making sure he was where he was supposed to be, >> right? >> What did he get mad for? >> I get Yeah, it's not my fault. I'm not the one who made him have to be in the position to do what what's happening. sale. >> Hey, boss. Uh, I think I got uh something over here. Speaking of the mail, uh, super cooperative, gives me his driver's license. I run them. I said, "Young lady, do you have your ID on you?" And she says, "No, I don't, but I'll give you my name." So, she gives me a name. She says, "I want to be 16." And gives me a date of birth in 2013. So, I play it off. I run it and I say, "All right, well, I'm going to say, you know, the name and information you gave me is not coming back, and the birthday you gave me comes back to a 13-year-old girl." >> So, is she being locked up? >> I think he just put her in there for now just to to wait till he can talk to her. I'm not real sure, but he uh just had me come just for assistance since we're on the side of 17. But >> so I said, "Can can you just make sure you write your name the way that you write it to make sure that I got everything down correct?" So she writes her writes another name. And I'm like, "All right." I'm like, "Do you have a warrant? Like, what's going on? What are the circumstances?" She's like, "No, I don't have a warrant or anything like that." And I said, "Well, what's your name?" So she gives me a third different name. Doesn't come back to anything. >> Is there something she did that she needs to be locked up for? She's a good person now. As far as I know, I don't know nothing bad about her. She ain't show me nothing like that. >> Yeah. So, >> where did you meet her? >> I met her where I live at in Charlotte. I met her >> in Charlotte. Like North Carolina. >> Oh, okay. That's a long ways away. >> Where are you from? >> You from where? >> Tennessee. >> Oh, okay. How'd you end up down here? >> How do I know? >> Like how'd you get down here? >> Oh, I drove down here. >> Well, yeah, but I'm saying like what made you come this way? >> Oh, I be Oh, so like I'll be playing like the arcade games and stuff. So, I be traveling looking for arcades and stuff. >> All right. This Putin County that's I never understand it. We have people that live here. They're from like other countries. And I just never understand how they end up in this area. Like all the places you can live and you chose here. It's just crazy to me. >> And then I said, "Just like what's the deal?" So I secure her in handcuffs, walk her to the back of the car, she gives me entered single lady out of North Carolina. The driver I read a Miranda said he picked her up in Charlotte said that's his friend and brought her down to Florida and they plan on going to the beach. He's 37 years old. >> She do that often. >> I mean, I never seen her. I mean, she's never been in a situation before. So, you know what I'm saying? I've never seen her >> in this situation. >> You meet her like online or you guys just happen to meet? >> I met her. I met her in public. >> I haven't questioned her yet. I just got her in the back secured. Why are you yelling at me? >> Can you call the lady back here to pull my shirt up? >> Pull your shirt up? >> Yes. >> Is he hanging out? >> Yes. >> Oh my lord. Give me one second. Girl, >> I was going to ask if she could give me Give me one second. >> I can pit my arms in my >> Give me Give me one second. >> Thank you, >> Deputy Williams. >> Deputy Williams. >> Deputy Williams. >> Yeah. >> Do you mind helping her fix her uh top? Yeah, >> I appreciate you. >> I'm going to grab my pen cap from your car. Okay. >> What's wrong? >> I'm I'm I was wanting to put my hands in my shirt cuz my everything is falling. >> All right. Do you want me to help you? I can We got to keep the cuff in the back right there for right now. So, I can do that, but I can help you like lift it up if need be. >> You can button it up in the front. >> Where you supposed to be button? >> Right here. >> So, how did you meet her? >> We met in public. >> You just met randomly in public? >> Yes, sir. Where at specifically? >> Um, at my hotel room. >> Hotel room? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. She's 19. >> That's what she told me. >> Okay. Did anything engage in this hotel room? >> No. So, >> that'll at least keep you from falling out. >> Can I get two more questions? Um, can I get my can you get my money and my purse out that car and can I talk to my cousin? >> Your cousin? Who's your cousin? >> Okay. >> That guy? >> Mhm. >> That's how they're standing. How long you known him for? >> Uh, pretty long me. >> How long is that? >> I say about like four or five years. five years. Okay. Yeah. Um we got he's got to do everything he's doing because it's it's his traffic stop and everything. So like he's in charge with it. The other deputy is >> um but depending on what situation happens or whatever. I don't really know what what's going on. >> Uh just kind of like backup. We'll make sure like your purse and everything. We'll make sure you have possession of that. >> What's your first name again? >> My first name is Joshua. >> Josh. >> Yes, sir. >> All I need is a little honesty. Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. >> Yes, sir. >> You meet a young girl, >> right? You bring her to your hotel room and nothing happens. >> No, I didn't bring her to my hotel room. >> No, that's what you just said. You said you met her in >> at my hotel room. >> At the hotel room? Yes, sir. >> How did she get to your hotel room? >> She was there. I don't know. >> She was at the hotel. >> Yes, sir. She was just there. I don't know. I don't know why she was there. I didn't bring her there. She was just there. I don't >> How long have you How long have you guys known each other? >> We've known each other now for probably about a month. a month. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. So, what they got going on with me >> that I don't I don't know. I'm still trying to figure out what the hell's happening. So, I'm not I'm not real sure. Um >> as soon as I suppose he figures out what's going on, we'll we'll let you know. >> Yeah, cuz um I don't even stay down here. I came down here just to see the beach with my friends or whatever. >> Mhm. >> And now we It's just >> Yeah, that's what he saying. Yo, y'all come from um like Charlotte or something. Yeah, we came down here just to see the beach with my with my friends. Like my friend, it's her birthday today. Like not even today. What's What time is it? It's probably >> It's not quite midnight yet. >> Yeah, it's it's it's today. Her birthday was freaking today. Like this is crazy. This is >> Yes. Yeah. Let me Let me figure out what what's going on. All right. >> Please update me. And um my purse is purple. >> I have um I have clothes in the trunk that my friend gave me. She bought me a whole bunch of new stuff. So, um, >> have you ever been in in trouble before or >> I have for what, sir? >> Um, I got in trouble probably about seven years ago for traffic. >> Seven. One more time. >> I got in trouble 7 years ago for traffic. >> Traveling. >> Trafficking. >> Trafficking? Yes, sir. >> Trafficking and what? >> Uh, scheduled two substance. >> What in particular? >> Uh, I had some. All right. Is there any drug in the car? >> No, sir. >> Nothing at all. No. >> Okay. I'm going to be searching the car cuz it smells like >> I know, man. I don't >> And then there's all over the seat. So, >> Well, like I said, we had some earlier. >> Okay. But anything else inside the car? >> No, sir. >> Okay. So, you met her about a month ago? >> Yes, sir. >> At your hotel room? >> Yes, sir. >> In Charlotte. >> Charlotte, North Carolina? >> Yes, sir. >> And then you're telling me from there she's just been with you ever since? Um, pretty much. Yes, sir. >> Yeah, >> for the most part. Yes. >> Are you guys like in a like in a relationship? >> Back and forth to our house and stuff. >> Are you guys kind of like in a relationship or something? >> No, we just friends. >> Listen, bro. We're both men, right? So, you're telling me just a relationship? We just >> Just hear me out, dog. You guys been know each other for a month. >> Hold on one second. You ain't got nothing else on you, partner. Just stand up for me real quick. Turn around. Lean against the car for me for defeat. Real wide. Real wide. Lean at the waist. >> So, right now, you're just going to figure out what's going on. Okay. >> You understand? >> These come off as easy as they go on. >> They're not too tight, right? All right, relax. >> What's going on? >> We'll tell you in one second. Okay, partner. I'm waiting for my lieutenant to get here and we'll talk about it. Okay, >> sure. >> So, uh, pace the car going 62 and 60. Um, stop it. Car reeks. Talk to the driver. I'm like, "Hey, man. What's going on? You got your license, registration insurance? Gives me all this stuff." I said, "Young lady, do you got your name uh ID or anything like that?" And she says, "No, I don't got nothing on me." I give you my name. I said, "Okay, well, go ahead and give me your name." So, she gives me one fake name. Yep. Date of birth 2013. She's like, "I'll be 16 this year." I was like, "Okay." I play it off, come back to the car, run it. Nothing comes back obviously. So, I walk up, make a passer side approach, and I said, "Do me a favor. Can you just write your name the way that you write it so I make sure I don't thing up?" She says, "Yeah, no problem." So, she writes her name, a different name than what she gave the first time. So, I said, "Like, what's going on? Do you have a warrant or something? Like, what's going on?" Uh, I said, "Just hop out of the car for me." Stalls about getting out of the car. I'm like, "Get out of the car." Like, we're now we're escalating for um Marilyn versus Wilson. I'm just hop out of the car. So, she's stalling. She's mouththing something to him. So, I just unlock the door, pull her out, secure in handcuffs. I'm like, "What's the deal?" like do you have like explain to me the circumstances of why you're giving me three fake names? She says my real name is this. So I run it over radio obviously comes back to a possible hit for he's like fine. So secured her, put her in the back of my car. I pull him out, read him his rights, start questioning, ask him like, "Hey, what's going on? How do you know this young lady?" She's like, "Hey." She told me she was 19. We met in a hotel room up in Charlotte, North Carolina. I met her about a month ago, and she's been with me ever since. Hey, sweetheart. Are those too too tight or anything? >> A little. >> All right. Look at me. Can I take them off? And can you would it be okay if you could just sit back here and chill out for me? Can we do that? All right. Hop out for me. I just want to make sure you're comfortable. You're not in any trouble. Okay. >> The only reason why you're secured is one uh you gave me like four different names. You know what I'm saying? >> That's why >> like to me it's a little concerning, right? >> Yeah. >> Where yall headed to? >> We are going back home. We just came back. >> Came back from where? >> Like beach to my friend birthday. I have to go. We came down here to see one of my friends birthday. I've never been out of town before. So, we were just coming to look at the waters or whatever. Just driving around. It was like um >> take a seat in the back for me. Okay. You just relax back there. It's too cold back there. Too hot. >> It's fine. Thank you. >> Have we ran him yet? >> Yes. 10:54. >> Yeah. He said he was arrested a couple years ago for traffic. >> All right. You okay? >> I'm fine. Sorry. >> All right. >> You know, it's hot riding around. >> Yeah. So you guys >> came back from the beach. >> Well, not exactly the beach. We just been walking around the whole time. >> Okay. >> Just looking at the waters, enjoying the view. I never been out of town before. >> Yeah, I got I got in a truck. >> This is like my first time being out of town before. >> Okay. >> Really? >> So, where are you guys coming from? Where'd you guys start your travels and end up down here in Pton County, Florida? >> Um, let's see. Okay. So, we started in Charlotte, I believe. Charlotte. I took a nap. >> Okay. >> When I woke up, by the time I woke up, I believe it was like coming past Atlanta or something like that. I don't know. I'm not really too sure. I just seen a bunch of big skins. I got excited. This my first time. >> I got you. >> Yeah, that's really pretty much I was sleep the whole time. >> Is she in trouble? >> Right now, we're just I'm not in that part of the investigation. I'm just sitting here with you while they do what they need to do. All right. So, right now, we're just What's up? >> Do anything with this. >> All right. Well, I'm not saying you did. I'm not seeing anything happen. >> I know how he did that. >> How do you know this young man? >> Huh? >> How do you know this young man? >> Um, >> let's see. How can I He's a friend of a family member and like we got multiple connections or whatever. He's very trusted by family. Very >> very trusted by family. >> Yeah. >> Okay. How long have you known him? >> I say probably since I was like 11. >> Can we be honest, please? >> I'm being honest with you. >> Okay. So, you say you've known him since you were about 11 years old. >> Mhm. >> And he's a friend of your family. >> Mhm. >> And how do you know him? Like what what do you call him? >> I call him by his name. >> What's his name? >> Josh. Josh. Okay. >> That's not his real name, but >> that's not his real name. >> Okay. What's his real name? >> Joshua. >> Joshua. >> Okay. So, guys are in Charlotte. >> You link up with a family friend who's 37 years old. >> No, I don't link up with a family friend. This was all planned. And we all came as a group. There's other people that's on the highway. It's like three other cars that we came with. They just did not get with us. >> Okay. other people that came with this. I just wrote with him because there was no space in the big car. >> So, why would you give me a bad name? >> Cuz um let's see. Okay. So, last year I had got into a fight in school or whatever. And during the fight, a security guard, he tried to break it up. I accidentally hit him. And I think like um something had happened. Some charges had got pressed on me. But my mama, she was able to get me a lawyer or whatever and get everything fixed on it or whatever. >> But that just still meant to me, you know, so I was like, damn. >> So what did you think? >> I don't know. I was just like, shoot, they probably, you know, this that was my first charge. I was just like, >> did you think you had a warrant? >> Not going to lie, yeah. Cuz my mama, she got on me real real bad when it happened and she been on me like ever since everything been going on. Like >> I'm having a hard time hearing you though. I said, "I know. I haven't been enough time. I'm talking about her. I'm worried about her." >> Yeah. >> Yeah, man. >> I don't know what's going on. >> So, how long have you been away from home? >> Um, not that not that long. >> What's not that long? Can you give me a time frame? >> I'd say probably about like What's today? Sunday. >> Yep. >> Okay. So, it's probably been like maybe like since Thursday. >> It's kind of weird cuz I had to go in there and tie her shirt up cuz then she had like this wrap around her. So I don't know if she wasn't wearing her shirt and I got stopped. >> So I had to like do a makeshift tie around her neck like a tank top. >> Yeah. So I don't know what was >> y'all just going on a drive or what? Um right now like I came down here to uh look for arcades like little little games. But he said y'all closed they closed them down. >> He said what? >> They closed them down. >> Oh, you were looking for arcades? >> Yeah. Arcade. >> Okay. >> So far, the first deputy on scene has allowed Joshua and the girl to repeatedly change their version of events. But with backup now present and Joshua admitting the girl has been with him for nearly a month, he realizes both are desperately trying to hide something. And [music] now as he becomes more confrontational with the girl, she lies once again, unaware that a lieutenant is already running background checks on both her and Joshua that will soon expose him. >> So you left Thursday and it's Sunday and you guys >> are going back home, I guess. >> Well, home is that way. >> What's that way? You guys are going south. >> This not the way to get on the highway. >> Well, listen. All I know is that we said we was going home. Everybody was on the phone group calling everybody. >> Who else was with you? You said it was a caravan of people. >> It was um >> I don't know everybody real names. All I know >> how do you know them? >> Because we all are friends. We all are friends. Some girl named Ry, this girl that I be with. This girl named Diana Taylor. I know her full name, Diana Taylor. This dude, he'd go out with one of the girls that was in the car with us. >> And my home girl, her name is Virginia. >> So, you guys all left Charlotte, North Carolina >> to go to your friend's birthday was at the beach. >> I came up here to see around the sea. >> We couldn't go to the beach cuz it started raining earlier today. >> Okay. When did you guys get into Florida? I'd say probably about like >> cuz now it's it's >> um actually one of y'all deputies helped us when we got here cuz we had ran out of gas on the side of the road and one of them had picked us up and had helped us get gas >> in Putham County. >> No, not it was in um I think No, it was in um Jacksonville. >> Jacksonville said Jacksonville. >> You guys got into Florida one more time. You said Saturday. >> No, not yet. We didn't get here Saturday. >> Yeah. When did you get in? >> We got here today. You got in here today? Yeah. >> So, you left Thursday but got here today. >> Charlotte to Florida is like an 8 hour ride. >> I know. I've been >> So, where'd you guys go from Charlotte? >> Huh? >> From North Carolina. >> Okay. So, basically what you're saying basically what you're saying is where have I been the past >> four days? >> Yeah. I want my phone. >> Yeah. But where where at? >> Charlotte. That's where I'm coming from. We just got here today. We just came here today and we were leaving today. >> Oh, okay. >> That's what I'm saying. >> Okay. >> All right. Go ahead and scoot your feet in, sweetheart. We're going to close this door and keep it cool. Okay. >> Um, can somebody get my stuff out the one second? I keep asking. I clothes and everything. >> Give me Yeah. Give me Give me one second. Okay. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Yep. >> Is she going to be in trouble? >> No, man. She's not in any trouble, dog. Listen, I I'm straight forward. Listen, the only reason why you're in handcuffs cuz we got a lot of moving parts right now and we're just trying to figure out what's going on. Okay. All right. Understand that's I'm not saying you're in trouble or anything, but I'm talking about her. >> Yeah, she's okay. >> She's okay. >> All right. Yes, sir. >> All right. There's nothing else in this car that we need to be made aware of. >> Okay. Cuz I see wigs and all the stuff in the back seat. No, >> that's her wig. >> That's her wigs. Is that the only wig she got back there? >> That's it. All right. All right. Was she wearing that when you guys met or no? No. >> No. She had her natural hair. What's going on though? >> Oh, no. She did have some weave. >> She has some weave. Not that one. [laughter] >> Hey, partner. Just do me a favor. Want to step over here for me and take a seat right here for me. Okay. >> He said his power. >> Yeah. I'm going to unlock the door quickly. >> So, what was running through your head when she gave me like three different names? I don't know what's going on, but I try to help you out this [ __ ] I don't know what you got going on. But >> what was she mouthing to you when I told her to get out of the car? >> She was telling me tell mom to get >> to tell her mom to call >> to tell mom to take her. We got to take good time. >> The lieutenant's remarks about Joshua's past criminal record regarding trafficking are enough to put the entire unit on high alert that he may potentially be on to something far worse with the girl. But while deputies still struggle to determine how long she has actually been with him, they are only moments away from uncovering the girl's real history. And it goes far beyond what they had suspected so far. >> All this is that what this is? >> [music] >> probably. The car search has already produced enough evidence [music] to put Joshua away for a long time. But it's the information deputies received from another agency that solidifies their worst fears. On February 16th, 2026, the girl's mother had filed a missing person's report with the Gastonia Police Department in North Carolina. And during questioning inside the car, when the girl finally revealed her real name to the deputy, a background check through the National Crime Information Center, [music] NCIC, database immediately flagged her as a missing person. At this point, deputies realize Joshua's timeline of having been with the teen [music] for nearly a month directly matches the amount of time she has been missing. But they still don't understand how the girl has been manipulated into continuing to stay with him. For now, as deputies continue searching the car, they are about to uncover even more disturbing evidence against Joshua. >> She said she had a bag in the car, LT. >> Let's go ahead and secure him in a car. >> Okay. >> Till we figure out what's going on. >> Okay. So, hey, let's right now you're going to be secured in the back of a car. >> Um, two different stories. >> Uh, you're not arrested at this moment. You're detained. >> Okay. We're we're running an investigation. Um, and we got two different stories. two completely different stories. So, I'm going to talk to them, figure out what they got going on up in North Carolina. We're going to try to figure out what we got going on here in Button County, Florida, and then we're going to come up with something. All right. >> So, if you want to put in Hey, here in just a second. >> What's going on? >> That's where she's reported missing from. >> Hey, whose car is that? >> We're going to go on this pouch side. Okay. B. >> I'm going to check you one more time. Okay. Yes, sir. Trying to stick my big ass bear mitts in your pants, man. It's hard, dog. Man, if I wore a pair of pants like that, look like I bust a can of biscuits, dog. Looking like Pillsbury door boy out in his All right, I got all your changes. All right, we're going to sit you back here and just relax, man. Like, you're not >> Just do me a favor. Just give me one second before you actually get in. Just I got a trainy. I just want to double check something, sir. not being arrested. >> You're not being arrested right now, bub. >> You know how it is. You got to make sure. >> I got my test on uh Wednesday. >> Oh, the written test. >> Yeah. >> The whole seat. >> Hey, do me a favor. Grab that wig out of there so I can take a picture of that. >> I'm going to put that thing on >> here. Maybe disgusting. >> I mean, it's more your skin tone than yours. So, with human trafficking, >> sorry, Tom, >> it's pretty pretty common for them to wear different kind of wigs and to try them. >> What's that? >> I don't know what this is. >> What you looking at, though? So, you already said they established communications with both those phones that we have on my hood. >> Okay. Yeah, we'll hold on to those. >> Yep. Um, her breath reeks of boobs. >> Does it? >> So, yeah. I mean, at bare minimum with him, we got interference child custody. Yeah, there's a lot more to this though, buddy. >> Oh, I know. >> As deputies continue searching through every item inside the car, they uncover several crucial pieces of evidence along with multiple prescription drugs. But it is what they eventually find inside the girl's purse that nearly confirms some of their worst suspicions. >> You have candy. It looks like He's got her as a screen saver on his phone. >> Yeah, it was go. It was just ringing. >> Is that her? >> That's her. >> I think the girl might be on the window again. >> I'm not real sure. >> What's going on, sweetheart? I'm too young for this. >> What happened? Talk to me. >> What happened? >> I don't know what's going on. >> Yeah, it's a little >> that I'm seeing and I'm not aware of and I don't got time for I'm 16 when this be on my just because I goddamn chose to ride with my got time for this. I don't >> just just relax. Just relax. >> All these people got Oh no. >> Just relax. Okay. You're not I Listen, I told you you're not in any trouble. >> I know. But it's too much. I just don't know what all is going on. I just want to go home. >> I know, mama. Give me a couple minutes. Okay. >> I need to get home. >> We're trying to We're trying to figure that out. Okay. >> What is he doing? Now, as deputies begin to grasp the full impact of everything they have uncovered so far, one last discovery is about to deliver the decisive blow, fully revealing what this simple traffic stop has actually led to. >> Well, I believe this is a charge. >> That's it. A whole bunch of them. >> You need a charge with each one individually or >> it has to be possession. I think 10 or more. >> Yeah. I feel like that would be a more of like a Department of Treasury investigation. >> So, we could charge them locally, >> but then take it over. >> Yeah. If we're able to prove that he's actually printing it off, then the Department of Treasury takes over that. >> Hey, Josh. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. Let me ask you a couple questions. Okay. Yes, sir. >> What's going on with all these all these $100 bills? >> Oh, those were my son. My son had those and we making like content for the internet and stuff. Oh, okay. >> All right. >> So, this is your son's and he uses to make like content like he's got money. >> Yeah. Yes, sir. >> What's going on with the printer in there? What is that used for? >> Oh, the printer. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Um uh the printer is used for like uh graphic design. I'll be making like >> Well, whose puranelia and stuff is that in the car? >> There's like a paint grinder. There's a couple nodes of weed. >> Not yours. >> So, whose is it? >> We're going to get out here in a couple seconds. Okay. We're going to take you to the sheriff's office. All right. You're not going to any handcuffs or anything like that. Okay. >> You're not in any trouble. All right. >> Well, I got to call D. We got to call DCF and all kinds of stuff. So, >> obviously because Yeah. So, obviously you're missing from North Carolina. Obviously, we can't drive you in North Carolina. So, >> what's up, my brother? >> Tell me what's going on, sir. >> All right. So, as of right now, um, where you covered obviously the THC pen in your pocket and the little bull we pair. That's what you're looking at right now. Just bull charges. All right. All right. I mean, there's nothing I can do about that. My lieutenant just came out here. So, all right. >> In Florida, there is no citation [music] for that. And because you're out of state, I have to by our guidelines, I have to take you out. Please, man. Don't lock me up, man. >> All right, brother. Just when LT gets here, I'll make sure he talks to you. Okay. >> All right. >> All right, bro. I got this. No money in the >> I got you, bro. I got you, bro. >> I got you, man. Give me a couple minutes. All right. >> So far, deputies have found $1,900 worth of counterfeit $100 bills. A bag shaped as a fried chicken drumstick containing synthetic. a pink grinder containing green leafy substance identified as paraphernalia and two cell phones, which [music] is more than enough to pile up evidence against Joshua. But now, as the deputies search through the girl's bag, [music] he uncovers evidence that will later become the key to exposing what Joshua had been doing to the young girl all along. What's going on with this whole situation? Listen, I I'm going to be 100% honest with you. >> Yeah. >> We're going to take you to the office and the detectives are going to come talk to you. Okay. So, do me a favor. Take a seat on the seat. Relax. I'm going to turn my lights off so they're not messing with you. And then I'll turn on the air back there so you're not hot. And then we'll take it from there. Okay. >> Yeah. >> She wanted her purse. So, I collected it. >> There's a male performance in her purse. Okay. >> So, I collected the purse just the way that I grabbed it. Didn't take it out. What's up? >> With the questions surrounding Joshua piling up just as quickly as the evidence deputies recovered, both he and the teen are brought to the station for questioning. But detectives have yet to realize that getting the truth out of Joshua is not going to be easy. What? [laughter] >> It's early, ain't it? So, your name's Mr. Josh? You good? Need something to drink? Water there. Can you tell us your name? Do you want to talk to us? We're just trying to have a conversation. >> You don't want to talk to us? >> You can. >> You can. [music] >> Yeah. We're just >> just trying to figure out what's going on, man. >> I'm Detective Nelly. This is Detective Coleman. Um >> I don't like to be formal. My name is Justin. >> Mhm. Well, we obviously want to talk to you a little bit. This why you're here. Um, but Detective Coleman's gonna read something to you before we like ask questions, just so everybody can talk freely, that kind of stuff. Okay. >> Just like you see in all the shows and all that stuff. I'm going read your Miranda Warner. It's okay. Just >> So, what brings you down to Florida? I was coming down here to see if y'all have some arcades down here, but ain't no more arcade. He said they took him out. He >> said they um I guess they closed them down. >> What kind of arcade are we looking for? >> Skilled games. >> Yeah, like the old Pac-Man and stuff like that or >> No, they got the um the fish >> like the fish. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. I got you. >> Yeah, I think we got rid of those a while back. >> A couple years ago. >> Yeah. [music] >> Yeah. They're illegal here, too. They get shut down. How did you meet? >> Um, I met her at my hotel room. Like, no, I didn't meet her inside my hotel room. I met her at my hotel room. I didn't take her to my hotel room. She was there and I seen her and we met there. >> When was that? >> Probably about a month ago. >> Okay. So, kind of and like explain to us. So, you guys she was you were at a hotel and so she was there at the hotel. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. And then that's when you guys met. So kind of run us through like from the time you guys met a month ago and then how we got here today. >> When I met her, she she know [music] very pretty. >> Yeah. um you know like if she was like in trouble or did anything like with the law or anything like that, but um she told me she was 19 and she told me that her mother stay and she didn't get along with her mother well and that her mother um she said that somehow her mama might have put out a missing person report on. Why would she do that? She was like her mama don't like her because her dad I mean her um her mother's boyfriend like did something to her when she was a kid and she when she said something about it, her mother didn't believe her. You know what I'm saying? M >> so her mother didn't like her after that ever since then and she put up her mom she her mom put her out because of that >> make sure her family straight and everything her brothers and stuff what uh what happened from there did she start staying with you or >> um she was pretty much staying with me for the most part >> in the hotel or back at your house? >> Yes sir. [music] In the hotel? >> In the hotel. >> How long does she stay with you in the hotel give or take? She been stay with me uh about 3 weeks. >> And now would you go to work during the day or were you >> Yes, sir. Yes, sir. >> So, you go to work and then she would just What would she do during the day? >> She would wait for me to get out of work. >> I got you. I got you. I mean, y'all were staying together for like 3 4 weeks. So, you say y'all were in a relationship? Probably. >> No, we ain't. We ain't in no relationship. No, we consider each other as friends, but you know, we like considered each other boyfriend, girlfriend. >> I got you. I mean, were y'all romantic with each other? I mean, y'all staying close together for 3 4 weeks. I mean, >> nah, we weren't romantic. >> You guys didn't have like that? Did you guys have sex do anything or anything like talk about it or anything like that? >> And how old is she again? I can't remember what you told me. >> She said she was 19. Okay. Okay. >> I never seen any ID of going on any documents or anything, but we talked about going to get it cuz she needed ID to. >> Despite their questions, Joshua insists that he only had a platonic relationship with the teen, almost portraying himself to detectives as her savior for giving her a place to stay after her mother allegedly threw her out. But the reality [music] is far different from the story Joshua wants detectives to believe. And to find out the truth, detectives try a different tactic, [music] hoping it will get him to spill the truth. >> Just want to count this stuff out for just a second. >> What's going on, man? >> Well, that's what we're trying to figure out, man. So, man to man, >> you talk about how she was pretty and that's why you, you know, you sure you walked up to her and talked to her that that day you met her, right? >> No, she was up to me. >> She came up to you. She approached me. >> Okay. >> So, I'll stay together 3 or 4 weeks. You never You never had nothing. Never talked about it. Nothing. What's going on with her? That's what I'm asking. [laughter] That's what I'm trying to figure out, man. >> Hey, man. Look, I don't know what she got going on. I don't got nothing to do with what she got going on or know what she got going. I don't know nothing about that. >> Well, that's what we're trying to get all squared away. You know what I mean? What I'm trying I'm trying to tell you I don't know >> like you down here trying to play games. >> That's me. That's I'm trying to play arcade games. I mean >> I don't know nothing about what she doing or what she >> she was like what's your name? And she was like I was like what what I didn't know what was going on. So you detective right? >> Mhm. >> Let me ask you this man. Is there any way that I can get out of the situation? Like, is there anything that I could do to [clears throat] get out of the situation that I'm in right now? >> I mean, the only thing you can do is is be honest with us. Tell every situation, >> right? And I have been totally honest since the jump. Now, other than being honest, what can I do? >> I mean, honesty is where it starts. I'm going be honest with you. I don't know. I don't know that I believe you about not doing anything with her. You've been with her for 3 to four weeks in a hotel room. You How many bedrooms were in the hotel room? >> Oh, I have two bedrooms. >> Two beds? >> Yes, sir. Cuz I had my son with me. >> Your son was with you in the hotel room? >> Your 17-year-old son? >> Yes, sir. >> You didn't tell us your son was with you? >> Yeah. See, I told y'all that. I told you. I said I got my son and my dad. My dad wasn't with me, but my son was. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> He's still up in >> my son Carolina. >> Yeah. My son really waiting on me to come home right now. >> I got you. Let me go see what they're up to. >> Please tell me, man. Please. >> Joshua never wavers from his story. But as detectives soon realize they don't need his confession at all. When detectives interview the team, she explains that [music] she had known Joshua for some time because his son was her classmate and that her cousin had asked Joshua to drive her to Jacksonville. But beyond that, she continues to [music] maintain that she had only recently ended up in Putnham County to visit arcades, adding that she had not spoken to her mother in a while and that her [music] mother did not know she was in Florida. But it was the sudden change in the girl's demeanor when detectives asked whether she was romantically involved with Joshua that immediately put them on edge. On March 17th, 2026, detectives were informed that an analysis of the girl's phone had uncovered several videos showing her engaged inual activity with Joshua. all recorded before they arrived in Florida. In one of the [music] videos, Joshua was seen deliberately adjusting the camera, clearly showing intent to produce explicit material involving a minor while engaging inual acts with her. Then on March 19th, a forensic review of Joshua's phone uncovered several suggestive images of the girl, [music] ultimately escalating the case into a federal investigation by March 31st, 2026. The girl remained in the care of the Department of Children and Families before eventually being reunited with her mother. Her mother also confirmed [music] that she did not know Joshua and had never given him permission to take or transport her daughter anywhere. Ultimately, Joshua McGrath was hit with two federal felony charges. Production of child se material interstate transportation of a minor for contact. The state of Florida separately charged him with felony possession of 10 or more forged or counterfeit notes. interference with child custody, possession of synthetic cannabis and misdemeanor contributing to [music] a delinquency of a minor, possession of marijuana, possession of drug equipment or paraphernalia. Joshua was taken to the Putnham County Jail and held on a $9,000 bond. If convicted on all charges, he could potentially face life in prison. Want to step up your style? Check out codebluecam.com for hoodies, tees, hats, mugs, and more. 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