Key Largo, Florida — A 53-year-old Florida man is now behind bars after deputies arrived at his home to find a teenage girl trapped inside a clothes dryer, following a desperate 911 call in which she reported being held hostage.
Christopher Michael Veit was arrested by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday morning after deputies responded to his Key Largo residence just before noon. When officers arrived, they made a shocking discovery — the teenage girl was found inside a clothes dryer, where Veit had allegedly forced her after she attempted to call for help.
According to authorities, the girl told deputies that Veit physically restrained her before forcing her into the appliance. He also allegedly confiscated her phone when she expressed her desire to leave the home. Despite the terrifying ordeal, the girl was fortunate to escape without life-threatening injuries. She was transported to a hospital for treatment before being released into the care of a family member.
Veit now faces serious criminal charges including kidnapping by false imprisonment, interference with child custody, and unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Investigators determined through the course of their review that ongoing sexual activity had taken place between Veit and the underage victim, raising further alarm about the nature and duration of the situation.
The disturbing discoveries did not end there. During their search of the property, Major Crimes detectives uncovered several sheets of counterfeit currency, prompting authorities to notify the U.S. Secret Service, adding a federal dimension to an already serious criminal investigation.
Veit was taken into custody directly at the scene. As of Monday, jail records confirmed he remained behind bars on a $650,000 bond. His next scheduled court appearance is set for August 4.
Authorities have notified the Florida Department of Children and Families, and investigators warned that additional charges are likely as the investigation continues to unfold.
