37 year-old Illinois Man Caught Running Away with Juvenile Girl
He said they were running away together, but being over 20 years older than the juvenile female he was with, 37 year-old Matthew Scott was arrested in Missoula and charged with felony custodial interference.
Scott appeared in Missoula Justice Court via video from the Missoula County Jail before Judge Marie Andersen. Deputy Missoula County Attorney Caitlin Williams asked for Scott’s bail to be set at $100,000.
“It’s the State’s position that this defendant poses an extreme flight risk,” Williams said. “He left Rockford, Illinois with a juvenile female that he was prohibited by court order from being around. He then attempted to lie to police officers here when stopped in an effort to avoid detection. The State is unaware of the nature of this relationship, but the defendant is 20 years older than the juvenile female and has already disregarded a court order to stay away from her.”
Williams explained her concern over a flight risk.
“He has absolutely no local ties and will likely run if released given his previous behavior,” she said.
Scott asked Judge Andersen to be released on his own recognizance to return to his parent’s home in Illinois and offered to wear a GPS device, as well as travel back to Missoula for all court appearances. Andersen instead set bail at $75,000 and ordered Scott returned to the jail.
Scott and the juvenile female were interviewed by Missoula Police at the Poverello Center.
The juvenile female is now in state custody.