Fort Wayne couple in human trafficking case arrested in Mexico

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Two people from Fort Wayne who are accused of the human trafficking of two teenage boys have been arrested in Mexico.

The Fort Wayne Police Department says that 49-year-old Kirk Depoister and 41-year-old Stephanie Followell were arrested this week.

They were wanted on charges of sexual abuse and exploitation of the teens in 2022 and face several felony charges.

The Fort Wayne Police Department released the following:

On May 18, 2022, a minor disclosed Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) by Stephanie Followell at a residence in the

4000 block of Oliver Street. Kirk Depoister was present during that incident. Detective Michelle Brown, a

detective from the FWPD Crimes Against Persons Section (CAPS), was assigned as the lead investigator.

Police were called back to the residence on July 21, 2022 as the other investigation progressed. Mr.

Depoister allegedly threatened a different minor with a baseball bat. Detective Chris Crapser was assigned

to investigate. Detective Crapser discovered that the two defendants were allegedly trafficking the second

minor and videotaping their criminal exploits. Other detectives from CAPS assisted Detective Brown and

Detective Crapser execute a search warrant at the residence. Both defendants were present at that time,

but fled Allen County as the investigations progressed.

Detectives Brown and Crapser were also assisted by the Dr. Bill Lewis Center For Children, the Indiana

Department of Child Services-Allen County, and the Fort Wayne Police Department Victims Assistance.

On June 12, 2024, Homeland Security Investigations Matamoros (HSI Matamoros), HSI Harlingen, HSI Fort

Wayne, and Fiscalía General De Justicia Del Estado de Tamaulipas (FGJT) in Mexico coordinated and

assisted the Fort Wayne Police Department with the arrest of two United States Citizens; Stephanie

Followell and Kirk Depoister. FGJT arrested and transported both defendants to the Gateway International

Port of Entry where they were turned over to US Custom and Border Protection and HSI.

We would like to thank our federal and local partners for their concerted efforts to bring these two alleged defendants to justice.

Suspect Arrested #1: Kirk W. Depoister, 49 years old

Preliminary Charges: Count I: Promotion of Human Sexual Trafficking, a Level 4 Felony

Count ll: Child Exploitation, a Level 5 Felony

Suspect Arrested #2: Stephanie N. Followell, 41 years old

Preliminary Charges: Count I: Promotion of Human Sexual Trafficking, a Level 4 Felony

Count ll: Possession Of Child Pornography, a Level 6 Felony

Count III: Sexual Misconduct With A Minor, a Level 4 Felony

Count IV: Incest

Count V: Sexual Misconduct With A Minor, a Level 5 Felony