Published: May 25, 2007 11:22 am      

Stonewall teens found

Fort Sill soldier accused of statutory rape

STONEWALL — Two Stonewall teens reported missing May 17 were later found to have been with a 26-year-old sergeant from Fort Sill Military Base, who may be charged with statutory rape.

According to Stonewall Police Chief Jason Teel, Bryce Banks will be charged by the Lawton Police Department and Fort Sill Police with statutory rape for having sexual intercourse with the younger of the two teens.

The two females, ages 13 and 14, told their parents they were spending the night at each others’ homes. When the girls did not return the next day, the parents filed a runaway report with Teel.

According to Teel, the teens met Banks online at www.hotornot.com, a website designed to allow singles to rate other singles based upon their physical appearance.

“Parents need to start monitoring their children’s activities online,” Teel said. “This could have been real bad. We could have never seen these kids again.”

According to a report provided by the Stonewall Police Department, Banks traveled from Lawton to pick-up the minors at the Stonewall park. Banks took both girls to Fort Sill Military Base and provided the minors alcohol.

After the teens were intoxicated, the 14-year-old became sick and Banks drove her home and returned to Lawton with the 13-year-old.

When notified that the 14-year-old had been returned home, Teel obtained Banks’ mobile phone number from her and persistently called him and contacted the Lawton and Fort Sill Police. The 14-year-old also told Teel that Banks and the 13-year-old had intercourse.

After Banks realized the police were in pursuit, he dropped the 13-year-old teen off at a Lawton McDonalds. The Lawton Police located the teen at McDonalds, and her mother went to Lawton to pick her up.

According to the report, a sexual assault evidence kit was performed on the 13-year-old at Valley View Regional Hospital.

The investigation is still ongoing with the Lawton and Fort Sill Military Police Department. According to Teel, the Stonewall police will not press charges because the alleged statutory rape occurred at Fort Sill Military Base.