Fairview Heights man charged with sexually abusing teen girl

Dec. 23--A Fairview Heights man has been charged with multiple sex crimes after allegedly traveling to Missouri to have sex with with a 16-year-old girl.

Donovan S. Harris, 21, was charged with three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse with a victim five years younger and one count of traveling to meet a minor on Dec. 9, St. Clair County court records show.

Harris and the girl met and communicated through social media, said Fairview Heights Public Information Officer Tim Mueller. According to the charging documents, between Dec. 1 and Dec. 5, Harris drove to Missouri "for the purpose of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct" with the teen girl.

Harris is a member of the Navy, and the investigation was initiated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Mueller said. The service contacted Fairview Heights police and the two agencies are now working together.

According to Mueller, the case could be picked up by federal authorities because the girl is based in Missouri and there was interstate travel.

Harris was taken into custody on Dec. 5. He posted 10 percent of his $75,000 bond and . His next court appearance is Jan. 3, 2020.

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