Man charged in connection to Utah kidnapping that ended in GI faces federal charges

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — An Arizona man facing charges after he was found inside a vehicle in Grand Island with an abducted Utah teen now faces federal charges.

GRAND ISLAND POLICE ARREST ARIZONA MAN IN CONNECTION TO UTAH KIDNAPPING

Tadashi Kojima, 26, of Tucson, Arizona, is charged in Utah District Court with kidnapping and transporting a minor with intent for criminal sexual activity. The charges were filed last Wednesday.

According to KUTV, our sister station in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Dec. 27, 2022, an Amber Alert was issued for a 13-year-old boy who was in danger after being taken by Kojima, who is not his family member.

POLICE CANCEL AMBER ALERT ISSUED OUT OF LAYTON, UTAH FOR 13-YEAR-OLD BOY

An arrest affidavit said that on Nov. 29, 2022, the boy’s father reported his son was having inappropriate, sexual conversations with a man later determined to be Kojima. The conversations reportedly started when the boy was playing Roblox online.

On Dec. 26, 2022, the affidavit said the boy went missing after he allegedly arranged to meet Kojima and go with him in his car.

Just before 2 a.m. Dec. 28, 2022, Grand Island Police responded to a suspicious vehicle call at Git ‘N Split, 3320 Langenheder St. Capt. Jim Duering said an individual at the gas station reported a white Toyota Avalon, driven by Kojima, pulled up to a gas pump, sat there without anyone getting out of the vehicle, turned around and went the wrong way down the road before parking again.

When officers arrived on scene, it was determined the vehicle was associated with the Utah Amber Alert.

GIPD said they ordered Kojima to exit his vehicle and that he resisted arrest. He was eventually placed in handcuffs.

Kojima still faces charges of kidnapping and resisting arrest in Hall County Court. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in that case on Feb. 16.

Federal court records do not list Kojima’s next court date on the federal charges.