Florida traffic stop reveals missing Charlotte girl is in man’s car, sheriff says

A routine traffic stop in North Florida turned into something much more troubling when deputies discovered the driver was traveling with a 16-year-old girl reported missing in Charlotte, investigators say.

The traffic stop happened around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, after a vehicle was seen “traveling at a high rate of speed” in Crescent City, Florida, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said in a March 9 news release.

Crescent City is about a 465-mile drive south from Charlotte.

“Once (the deputy) made contact with the driver and passenger, the passenger gave misleading information about her name and date of birth,” the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said.

“The driver, Joshua Magraff, 37, of Charlotte, North Carolina, initially said the passenger was his 16-year-old cousin. The passenger gave deputies a 2013 birthdate, which would make her only 12 years old. The passenger gave two more false names and dates of birth causing (the deputy) to be concerned for her welfare.”

Once placed in the back of a patrol car, the girl revealed her real name, resulting in the deputy discovering she had been reported missing in Charlotte.

“Contact was made with the teen’s mother. The mother stated she did not know Magraff and she reported her daughter missing on Feb. 16,” the sheriff office said.

“When deputies asked Magraff what his connection was to the teen, Magraff changed his story to she was a friend. When deputies asked him why he was hanging out with a 16-year-old, his story changed to stating he thought she was 19.”

Magraff told deputies they were headed to Orlando, Florida.

A search of the vehicle revealed nearly $1,900 in counterfeit $100 bills, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, officials said.

The Florida Department of Children and Families assumed responsibility for the teen until she could be reunited with her mother, officials said.

Magraff was arrested and the sheriff’s office reports it charging him with:

• Interference in child custody
• Possession of counterfeit currency
• Contributing to delinquency of a minor
• Possession of drug equipment
• Marijuana possession
• Possession of synthetic cannabis