Army member flew from Germany to WV to pick up underage female

MERCER COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Connecticut U.S. Army service member who was stationed in Germany is now facing charges of sexual assault after he flew back to the United States and drove to Monroe County, WV, to pick up an underage female.

On July 5, 2024, around 1:00 a.m., a missing underage teenage girl left her home in Monroe County, West Virginia. Her mother reported her missing to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.

Two days later, on July 7, 2024, several news outlets shared the girl’s photo to help locate her. Later that same day, at approximately 10:19 p.m., Cpl. J.A. Conner, Dep. A.M. Presley, and Dep. J.A. Brooks responded to a report regarding the missing girl at Microtel Inn and Suites on 250 Ambrose Lane, Princeton, Mercer County, WV.

The caller, who worked at the hotel’s front desk, saw the missing girl. Cpl. Conner recognized the disappeared girl. She informed him the girl was in room 104 with an older man. Deputies went to Microtel to locate the girl.

Upon arrival, they knocked on the room’s door and were met by a man named Nolan. Cpl. Conner asked Nolan if anyone else was in the room, to which he mentioned the minor, claiming she was 20 years old, despite repeated calls from Cpl. Conner, Jasmine did not respond.

Cpl. Conner entered the room and found the girl lying under a blanket on a bed. He tried to get her to identify herself, but she was hesitant. When asked if she was dressed, she replied negatively. Cpl. Conner then instructed her to get dressed. A pink bra was found on a nearby bed.

While the girl was getting dressed, Cpl. Conner informed the man that the girl was a missing 13-year-old. Once ready, Cpl. Conner spoke with the girl again, showing her a photo of herself to confirm her identity.

During the conversation, the girl mentioned that the man was her “baby’s daddy.” Cpl. Conner arranged for the girl to be taken into custody by contacting E-911 through the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.

The girl and the man, identified as Richard Nolan Tillotson, a 24-year-old, were detained by deputies. Cpl. Conner seized Tillotson’s cell phone and secured the room. At the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, it was confirmed that Tillotson picked up the girl on July 5, 2024, from Peterstown, WV, and took her to the Microtel.

A Timeline was provided:

The Affiant then interviewed Tillotson, and after being advised of his Miranda Rights, he stated the following:

a. Tillotson is stationed in Germany for the US Army and on leave in the States.

b. He met the juvenile in an Xbox game chat room while he was in Germany.

c. They spoke to each other through the Xbox Console, Snapchat, and the Xbox application on his cellular phone.

d. She told him she was 20 years of age.

e. He arrived at Dulles International Airport from Germany on July 4, 2024.

f. He rented a car and traveled to Mercer County, West Virginia, where a room was reserved at the Microtel & Suites.

g. He arrived at the Microtel & Suites on July 4, 2024, parked his rental vehicle there, and took his belongings inside.

h. On July 5, 2024, at approximately 0030 hours, the female contacted him through the Xbox application on his phone, requesting to be picked up.

i. He traveled to Peterstown, picking the female up and driving her to the Microtel & Suites.

J. He denied knowledge that she was 13.

k. He denied taking pictures or videos of her, stating that she took his phone and took

pictures of herself.

I. He stated that they only had sexual intercourse 2 to 3 times.

m. He stated there was a second cellular phone in the room.

She stated they met on the game Roblox and engaged in sexual activities multiple times. Tillotson claimed he believed she was 20, but evidence suggested otherwise.

During a search of the room and Tillotson’s rental vehicle, items including used pregnancy tests, makeup, female underwear, and a themed t-shirt were found. The girl recognized the shirt as the one she wore before disappearing.

Tillotson was then processed and taken to the Southern Regional facility for further procedures.