A 62-year-old Dallas man is facing serious criminal charges after police say he lured a runaway teenage girl into his vehicle, drugged her, and sexually assaulted her at his East Dallas home over the course of several days.
David Klepak was taken into custody following an investigation by Dallas police into an alleged assault at a duplex on Winton Drive in East Dallas. He remains held in the Dallas County Jail on a bond set at $300,000.
According to court documents, the 14-year-old victim had left her home last Wednesday and was walking alone when Klepak pulled up alongside her in his vehicle and offered her a ride. The teen told investigators she realized within moments that he was not driving toward her home.
Police say Klepak then offered the girl methamphetamine before taking her back to his residence where he sexually assaulted her. The teenager remained at the location for approximately three days before she was able to leave.
After the girl’s family reported her missing they reached out to Alfonso Solis, who runs a nonprofit organization focused on search-and-rescue operations. Solis and his volunteers immediately began canvassing the surrounding area searching for any camera footage or witnesses who may have spotted the teen but came up empty.
Days later a community member spotted the girl nearby and alerted Solis and the girl’s grandmother to her location which ultimately led to her recovery and Klepak’s arrest.
Solis described the case as deeply disturbing and noted it stood apart from many similar situations he has encountered through his work educating communities about human trafficking.
“This is a very sick man because this wasn’t planned. This was a crime of opportunity” Solis said referring to how Klepak appeared to have targeted the girl randomly rather than through any premeditated scheme.
Solis emphasized that while many trafficking and assault cases involve victims who are deliberately groomed or selected through social media contact this incident shows that danger can also come from unexpected and spontaneous encounters in public spaces.
He urged parents to remain vigilant about monitoring their children’s whereabouts and digital activity as predators often use multiple methods to make contact with minors.
Investigators say the case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability runaway youth face on the streets. Children who leave home without supervision can quickly become targets for individuals looking to exploit them.
Klepak’s arrest comes as Dallas law enforcement continues to prioritize cases involving crimes against minors. The charges he faces carry severe penalties under Texas law given the age of the victim and the nature of the alleged offenses.
