Missing Portland Teen: 15-Year-Old Girl Found Safe During Traffic Stop, 2 Arrested

Two people were in custody Thursday in the disappearance of a Portland teen found during a traffic stop, police said.

The 15-year-old teen girl was found safe 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Bend, Oregon, when police stopped a stolen, silver 2009 Dodge Charger with three occupants. The driver was identified as Jennifer Johnson, 40, and the other passenger as Tyler Ford, 29.

The pair allegedcly hadseveral stolen and forged-IDs linked to thefts in and around Portland. Police also found heroin and methamphetamines in a search of the car. Additionally, Ford reportedly had violated a restraining order by contacting the teen.

“Throughout the course of the investigation, Bend Police developed reason to believe that the 15-year-old female was being groomed for work in the commercial sex trade,” Sgt. Joe Pacheco told reporters. “No one was injured during this investigation, and the juvenile is now safe.”

Johnson and Ford were taken into custody and subsequently moved to Deschutes County Jail on Wednesday.

Johnson is facing charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, prostitution, methamphetamine possession, identity theft, first-degree forgery and criminal possession of a forged instrument. She is being held on $320,000 bail.

Ford was charged with felony heroin possession and violation of a restraining order. He is being held on $20,000 bail.

While police haven’t released the status of the missing teen, they assured reporters the girl was safe and thanked J Bar J Youth Services and the state Department of Human Services Child Welfare for their help in the investigation.