LISA HOBBS - News Editor
A former White County and Van Buren County deputy has been charged in the disappearance of a 15-year-old who went missing from Alabama.
Brian Schalk, 27, has been charged with aggravated statutory rape and harboring or hiding a runaway child after she was allegedly found at his White County residence. She had been missing since Sept. 3.
While the case remains under investigation, an arrest warrant on Schalk states that on Sept. 7 Detective Connie Gavagan was contacted by FBI Special Agent Matthew Pruitt in regard to the missing female juvenile. The FBI traced the child to a possible address on Clearwater Square.
White County Sheriff’s Department issued a search warrant on that location and discovered the 15-year-old, who alleged stated that she was touch inappropriately, unable to leave and that Schalk threatened her with physical harm.
If it can be determined that she was taken from Alabama to Tennessee by Schalk, he could face federal charges.
Schalk is being held on a $204,000 bond in White County Jail.