Man accused of locking teen in Cypress storage unit for 5 days and sexually assaulting her

CYPRESS, Texas (KTRK) — Authorities arrested a 34-year-old man accused of locking a 17-year-old in a Cypress storage unit for days and sexually assaulting her.

The teen, who was listed as a runaway while she was being held against her will, made the outcry to authorities on April 8, according to the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office.

The suspect, identified as Joel Micah Arnold, was arrested Wednesday.

According to court records, Arnold threatened to hurt the victim’s 14-year-old sister if she did not go with him. The victim complied and told investigators she was taken against her will to a storage facility in the 19100 block of FM 529 in Cypress.

Arnold once lived near the victim and knew her, said Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen.

While at the storage unit, Arnold is accused of locking the teen inside and keeping her for five days. Investigators said he would leave and return at different points during the five-day span.

Authorities said Arnold displayed a firearm to the teen, injected her with drugs and sexually assaulted her. Rosen said Arnold left his phone in the storage unit and the teen texted a friend, which led to her escape.

“[Arnold] got very scared of that fact,” Rosen said. “He opened the door and he ran and she ran too. Thank goodness she’s alive and well.”

Arnold is charged with aggravated kidnapping, sexual assault and trafficking of a child. He has no prior convictions in Texas and was awaiting a court appearance Thursday night.

Rosen said authorities found several checks, driver’s licenses and credit cards belonging to others when they took Arnold into custody that indicates there might be other victims.

Anyone with information about Arnold or other victims is urged to contact the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office’s human trafficking hotline at 832-927-1650.