A Kentucky teenager who was arrested in Panama City Beach following an alleged a multistate crime spree of stolen cars and forged checks has been indicted by a grand jury, officials at the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Wednesday.
Dalton Hayes, 18, was indicted on 11 charges, including rape in the second-degree and custodial interference on Tuesday after he and a 13-year-old girl allegedly undertook a multistate crime spree of stolen cars and forged checks. Hayes said he was unaware of the girl’s young age up until the trip. He was extradited back to Kentucky to stand trial, after being arrested in Panama City Beach on Jan. 18.
Hayes, who already was wanted on burglary and theft charges from December, and 13-year-old Cheyenne Phillips allegedly set out on their multistate crime spree Jan. 3.
The Kentucky couple allegedly ditched cars and stole replacements in Kentucky, South Carolina and Georgia — evading arrest all the while — before arriving in Panama City Beach. Hayes said the two got lost looking for an interstate leading to Miami.
Because Phillips is underage, authorities were unable to comment on the charges she could be facing. She is expected to face charges in juvenile court.