A runaway juvenile from Franklin County, Ky., was recently located in Linton after allegedly running away from home. Two men were arrested in connection with her disappearance. 

Michael Andrew Walton, 23 of Linton, was arrested on March 10 on charges of false informing and contributing to the delinquency of a minor by Linton Police Department Officer Janzen Franklin. Samule Thomas David Robinson, 18, of Lawrenceburg, Ky., was arrested on a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor by Linton Police Department Detective Logan Hobbs. 

On March 9, Franklin began assisting on a case of a runway juvenile with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department (FCSD). The department advised the runaway and Robinson stole a truck and left. FCSD, according to the probable cause said the two had purchased a phone along the way to Indiana. The department had been pinging the number and sending messages to the phone. According to the probable cause affidavit, FCSD received a ping from the Linton area. 

Franklin spoke with Sgt. Phillip Ray of the FCSD who advised they had been speaking with the juvenile acting as a friend. They intercepted several messages between the juvenile and Walton conspiring to come to Linton. Additionally, Sgt. Ray, according to the probable cause, informed Franklin Walton had a pending case of kidnapping in the state of Illinois. 

When speaking with Walton at his residence on March 9, he advised Franklin he had not seen the juvenile. 

On March 10, officers from the Linton and Jasonville police departments located Robinson at a 2nd Street Southwest residence in Linton. With the assistance of FBI Agent Nichole Robertson, they were able to locate an approximate area where the phone had been purchased. Through previous knowledge, officers knew Walton’s father owned a house in that area.

Det. Hobbs attempted to interview Robinson about the whereabouts of the juvenile; however, he invoked his rights and asked for a lawyer. At this time, Hobbs was able to secure the cell phone. 

Also on March 10, a Wal-Mart asset protection employee advised Franklin that Walton had entered the store and purchased a new pre-paid cell phone. The employee provided Franklin the serial number of the device. That information was relayed to Agent Robinson and they began to ping the new phone. This returned pings in the Marco area. 

Lt. Bobby Pierce of the Linton Police Department drove by the residence and confirmed Walton’s vehicle was parked outside. When Pierce advised the vehicle had left, Linton Police Department Davis Aerne and Det. Hobbs located and stopped the vehicle at County Road 200 and County Road 800 W in Lyons. At that time, officers located both Walton and the missing juvenile. 

Walton was arrested by Franklin and transported to the Greene County Jail. His bond was set at $2,000 surety with 10 percent allowed. He is being charged with: false informing, a Class B Misdemeanor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a Class A Misdemeanor. 

Robinson was arrested by Det. Hobbs and transported to Greene County Jail. He is being charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a Class B Misdemeanor.