By Maureen Vander Sanden
Editor, the Elkhorn Independent
A 21-year-old Nebraska man is facing sexual assault charges stemming from the disappearance of a 13-year-old Lake Geneva girl who went missing Sunday.
Lake Geneva Sgnt. Russ Carstensen said Tuesday that charges were referred to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office for Jacob T. Cambridge after he was found at an Elkhorn motel with Courtney Joy Harshman Monday.
An Amber Alert was issued for the girl, Carstensen said, after FBI agents determined she was likely with the suspect. Agents conducted a forensic analysis on Harshman’s computer which indicated the two met online.
“The FBI is what cracked this for us,” Carstensen added.
It was believed she may have been headed to Nebraska and planned to return home for Christmas.
Cambridge was arrested and transported to Walworth County Jail were he remains, after sheriff’s deputies discovered his Honda coupe parked outside the Thomas Motel, 840 N. Wisconsin St., following the Amber Alert’s broadcast.
The investigation is ongoing jointly with Elkhorn police.
Police have recommended felony charges be handed down including child enticement, sexual assault of a child and obstructing an officer.