A report of two juvenile female runaways resulted in two being charged with promotion of prostitution of a minor, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

On Feb. 8, deputies with the county’s D squad patrol division got a call about two runaway female juveniles from the Rockwell area. The two young women are not related. A search ensued for the 13- and 17-year-old but initially, the girls were not located.

The next day, deputies got word that one of the girls was at a business on Jake Alexander Blvd. Deputies were able to find the 13-year-old, and during an interview with her and additional witnesses, they determined the older female may have been been taken to Kannapolis for prostitution.

Both the juveniles had reportedly been staying at a residence on 11th Street in Salisbury, so deputies set up surveillance, and a witness and a suspect were identified.

Subsequent interviews revealed that the remaining runaway juvenile had indeed been taken to a hotel in Kannapolis to engage in prostitution. The Kannapolis police department and Rowan County deputies arrived at the hotel and get the 17-year-old to safety. Additionally, two men were taken in to custody.

Xavier Alexander Rushing, 25, was subsequently charged with promotion of prostitution of a minor. Rushing has a criminal history dating back to 2020 that includes kidnapping, possessing a controlled substance in a prison/jail, and resist/obstruct/delay of a public officer. Rushing is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center under no bond pending his first court appearance.

Bailey Tyler Richardson, 25, was also charged with promotion of prostitution of a minor. Richardson has a criminal history dating back to 2016 that includes felony breaking and entering, felony larceny, possession of cocaine, and resist/obstruct/delay of a public officer. Richardson is being held in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $500,000 bond.

“This case is another example of the dedicated work done by our patrol squads each day,” said Sheriff Travis Allen. “The amount of detailed work that a case like this requires is substantial. For a patrol squad to be able to complete a major case like this as well as answer calls for service shows a willingness to work above and beyond what is required. Many of them worked extra hours to make sure these juveniles were safe. I am proud of the men and women of this office who give so much to our community.”