Two Men Arrested In Mayes County, Accused Of Trafficking Underage Girls

Chouteau Police have revealed new details about the arrests of two men who were caught with underaged girls.

Investigators say they initially stopped Jefferson Josue and Carlos Esquivel on Christmas Eve for speeding but during the stop, police say they were acting nervous, so the officer asked to search the SUV. A police dog found cocaine and empty beer bottles inside. Investigators say they became suspicious when they saw how the three girls with them were dressed since it was so cold out. After talking to the girls, officers discovered that two of them were reported missing from Illinois and Virginia.

An affidavit says one of the men told investigators they were traveling from Texas and headed to Arkansas to see a friend and when asked how they knew the girls he said they were friends. Chouteau Police believe the three girls were being trafficked by the men across state lines.

Police say two of the girls were 16-years-old and the other was 17-years-old. Both Josue and Esquivel were arrested for kidnapping and federal agents are also investigating.