A 35-year-old St. Louis man was formally charged in Marion County Court on Tuesday with felony obstructing justice after being found in the Super 8 Motel with a missing 15-year-old Salem female juvenile.
Salem Police Detectives located Courtney Buffkins after being alerted by the girl’s family that she might be there with a man from Missouri. After pinpointing a room they believed Buffkins might be located, a man answered the door and allegedly gave a fake name. He claimed to have no ID.
Police say once at the jail, he did admit his real ID.
The charge was filed as a felony because Buffkins allegedly impeded an investigation into his activities. Police say Buffkins already has sex crimes pending against him in Coles and Cumberland Counties. Salem Police are continuing their investigation into why the two were together. Detectives report neither Buffkins or the girl have provided much information.
Bond for Buffkins was set at $10,000. If released on bond, he was ordered to have no contact with the minor family or residence. The public defender was appointed to represent him.
