Arizona Man Arrested for Kidnapping a Utah Teenager is Facing Federal Charges Including Intent to Engage in Sexual Conduct with a Minor

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Utah returned an indictment charging a Tucson, Arizona man with kidnapping a Utah teen and taking the victim across state lines with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity.

According to court documents, Tadashi Kura Kojima, 26, also known as Aaron Michael Zeman, willfully and unlawfully kidnapped a 13-year-old, who he was not related to, or had legal custody of, and took the minor across state lines with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity. The criminal conduct resulted in an Amber Alert and the arrest of Kojima in Nebraska. Kojima has been provided notice of the intent to seek forfeiture of property, including a cell phone, gaming devices, and a 1998 White Toyota Avalon, which were used or intended to be used to commit or to facilitate the commission of the violation.

The indictment charges Kojima with kidnapping and transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The defendant appeared in a U.S. federal court in Nebraska and is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, who will transfer Kojima to Utah. Upon his arrival in Utah, Kojima will appear on his indictment at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City, Utah.

U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins for the District of Utah made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney, Carol A. Dain, is prosecuting the case. The investigation is being worked jointly by the FBI, Layton Police Department and Grand Island Police Department.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.