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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

ALABASTER – On Friday, March 15, Rafael Paredes Panameno, of Alabaster, was arrested on multiple charges that included the sexual abuse of a juvenile and drug possession. Reports also indicate that a missing girl from Georgia, whose name and age have not been released due to her status, was located and recovered as a result of the arrest.

The Alabaster Police Department released a statement last week detailing that Panameno, age 22, was arrested one charge of traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, two counts of rape second degree, one count of sodomy second degree, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of unlawful possession of marijuana first degree, one count of unlawful possession of marijuana second degree and one count of unlawful posession of a pistol.

Panameno is currently being held at the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $173,000.

Panameno’s arrest occurred after detectives received information that linked the missing juvenile girl from Georgia. While not detailed in reports, the information led law enforcement to the determination that the juvenile was allegedly brought to the area by Panameno at an undisclosed date and time.

Law enforcement officials said that Panameno came into contact with the juvenile through an inappropriate online relationship that he fostered with the juvenile on social media.

“It’s extremely important to monitor your children’s online activities and contacts,” said Alabaster Police Detective Charles Brewer. “We are beyond grateful to have located this juvenile, and returned them to their family.”

A Class A felony, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Rape in the second degree and sodomy in the second degree are both Class B felonies and carry a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment each with the potential for an additional $30,000 in fines for each count.

Panameno also faces another potential 10 years of imprisonment and $15,000 in fines for the pistol charge and a maximum of another year and $6,000 in fines for both the charges related to the possession of drug paraphernalia and the possession of marijuana.