Man Arrested for Rape of Two Tennessee Girls

A McCracken County man was arrested after two girls told police they were kidnapped and sexually assaulted.

The Paducah Police Department says a resident in the Forest Hills area called officers on Saturday, April 7. When interviewed, the 15- and 16-year olds said they were from Henderson, Tennessee, and had been brought to Paducah against their will. They reportedly told police they had been sexually assaulted multiple times and forced to cut and dye their hair. The girls said they escaped when the man left for work.

Police investigated the claims, and learned that the girls were reported missing from Chester County, Tennessee. A joint investigation between Paducah Police and Tennessee law enforcement determined that one of the girls had communicated with 29-year-old Joshua S. Meyer through social media. 

Police went to the home and say Meyer, the home and the neighborhood resembled the description given by the girls. On April 10, police interviewed Meyer, who said he met one girl on social media over a year ago and that they had run away from home. Police say Meyer admitted driving to Henderson, bringing the girls to Paducah, and having sex with them. 

Meyer was arrested last Tuesday night on charges of first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy, along with second degree unlawful transaction with a minor. He was booked into McCracken County Jail, and police say more charges are likely.