Registered 33-year-old sex offender found with missing 13-year-old, SD officials say

A registered sex offender was found with a missing girl, South Dakota officials said.

On Oct. 20, 33-year-old Sean Carlos Payne kidnapped a 13-year-old girl from a rural area in South Dakota, according to a Facebook post by Meade County deputies.

Payne was wanted in Nebraska for several charges, including enticing a minor and assault, deputies said.

Police didn’t specify if Payne knew the girl.

Officers learned the girl was missing, and an Amber Alert was sent to Wyoming High Patrol officers, officials said. They said they eventually found Payne in Rawlins, about a 400-mile drive southwest from Meade County.

“Quick thinking by the 911 dispatchers, who sent messages to all surrounding states, with possible vehicle descriptions was the key to finding this kid,” Meade County Sheriff Pat West said in the Facebook post.

At first, Payne complied with police, but he eventually tried to flee with the girl, according to a Facebook post by Wyoming Highway Patrol.

Officers disabled his car, and the child was found with no injuries, officials said.

Payne, of Omaha, will remain in custody in Wyoming while authorities continue to investigate, officials said.

Officials said he is facing charges of kidnapping, reckless driving and eluding, among his outstanding warrants.

This story was originally published October 21, 2024 at 4:27 PM with the headline "Registered 33-year-old sex offender found with missing 13-year-old, SD officials say."