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New charges against Devlin, investigators appeal for more information

By AP/KWMU

Potosi, MO – Authorities in Washington County say kidnapping suspect Michael Devlin tried to kill Shawn Hornbeck.

Police found Hornbeck in Devlin's Kirkwood apartment in January, four years after the boy disappeared. With him was 13-year-old Ben Ownby, who had been gone four days.

Washington County Prosecutor John Rupp says the new charges from a grand jury include three counts of forcible sodomy, as well as attempted murder.

"It alleges that on or between October 7, 2002 through November 7, 2002, the defendant attempted to kill S.H. by suffocation," Rupp said.

Devlin also faces charges in Franklin and St. Louis Counties, and from the federal government.

Investigators are also trying to learn if Devlin is responsible for other kidnappings, including that of 12-year-old Steven Kraft who disappeared from his Michigan home in 2001.

Cpl. Al Nothum with the Missouri State Highway Patrol says investigators now want to know about any vehicles Devlin may have driven before 2001, and also where he traveled.

"There's one vehicle in particular we're looking for," Nothum said. "It's specifically a 1983 Toyota pickup truck, silver and gray, and it had a white stripe and a camper shell on it."

Nothum says anyone with information should call 636-239-7614 or 636-239-7496.

Devlin also faces charges in two other Missouri counties and from federal prosecutors. Devlin is being held at the Franklin County Jail.

Invesigators released more photos of the suspect in the hope they may lead to information about other kidnapping cases. From left: Devlin in 1988, 1997 and 2000 (handouts).

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