A 35-year-old St. Louis man already facing aggravated kidnapping and four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse to a 15-year-old girl is now charged with aggravated battery for allegedly having her drink a liquid containing methamphetamine.
The new charge against Courtney Buffkins was filed by State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth this week after lab tests came back confirming a bottle of whiskey that the alleged victim was given to drink contained methamphetamine. The State’s Attorney reports the urine test of the victim also came back positive for meth.
Salem Police say the samples were taken after the girl was allegedly found in a Salem motel room with Buffkins last November. After later agreeing to talk to police, the victim allegedly told them she believed she had been drugged.
Buffkins is charged with four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse after he allegedly came to Salem during five different visits starting in February 2020 and engaged in sexual acts with the juvenile. The kidnapping charge claims Buffkins in February or March of 2020 by force or threat of force carried the juvenile to another location with the intent to secretly confine her against her will and committed aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
During a pre-trial appearance this week in Marion County Court, Buffkins was advised of the new Class Three felony charge. His February 15th jury trial date was vacated and reset for March 15th.
He remains in the Marion County Jail in lieu of $750,000 bond.
