(EFFINGHAM, IL) — A 60-year-old Altamont man is facing additional charges in connection with the alleged abduction of one of his 13-year-old karate students, including a charge of indecent solicitation of a child. Steven Larson was initially charged with two counts of kidnapping after authorities were able to track him and his alleged victim Rebecca Neu, of Effingham to a Sikeston, Missouri motel. Larson is accused of taking Neu out of Effingham County on January 31st. In addition to the two kidnapping counts, Larson was additionally charged Friday with unlawful restraint, for taking the girl out of the county without her parents’ consent, and of obstructing justice for allegedly throwing two cell phones out of the window a speeding car. The phones reportedly contained evidence that prosecutors say would indicate the unlawful restraint. On Tuesday Effingham County State’s Attorney Bryan Kibler Tuesday filed an additional charge of indecent solicitation of a child against Larson, saying that the defendant was engaged in sexually-motivated behavior. Larson, who was Neu’s karate instructor, was supposed to drive her into his studio in Effingham for a lesson, and there reportedly was supposed to be other students at the studio for the instruction. Later on Saturday, January 31st, Neu’s parents contacted authorities when their daughter didn’t return home. After investigating an Amber Alert was issued. Larson is next due in court on February 18th for his first appearance with counsel. He’s being held in Effingham County Jail under $250,000 bond. The kidnapping counts are Class 2 felonies, punishable by between three to seven years in prison, while the unlawful restraint and obstructing justice counts are Class 4 felonies, punishable by between one to three years in prison. Indecent solicitation of a child is also a Class 2 felony. More charges against Larson are still possible in Missouri and federal courts.

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