Tech Sales Executive Surrenders After Allegedly Grooming Missing 15-Year-Old Girl in Disturbing Online Predation Case

Alisa Petrov, 15, disappeared after she was dropped off at her school in American Fork, Utah, on April 21 and hasn't been seen since that day

A 35-year-old tech sales executive, Matthew Nicholas Menard, has surrendered to police after eight days in hiding, accused of grooming a missing 15-year-old girl for sex. Menard allegedly spent months manipulating Alisa Petrov, a Utah teen, after contacting her via Instagram through a secret iPad. Authorities claim he coerced her into sending explicit photos and engaging in graphic sexual conversations before arranging to meet in person.

Alisa vanished from her school on April 21, with messages revealing plans to meet Menard in Las Vegas. Police believe they never connected, but the girl remains missing after last being seen seeking a bus ticket to Nevada. Menard, charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, enticement, and criminal solicitation, turned himself in late Wednesday after traveling from Miami to Utah.

Matthew Nicholas Menard, 35, from Miami was charged with aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, enticement of a minor, and criminal solicitation

The case took a darker turn as two other men were arrested for allegedly grooming Alisa before her disappearance. William Taylor Glines, 37, from Texas, was taken into custody on May 8, while Samuel Teancum Mitchell, 41, was arrested Wednesday after police uncovered disturbing messages between him and Alisa on Discord and Snapchat. Mitchell, who lived near Alisa’s home, allegedly discussed kidnapping her and engaged in explicit conversations.

William Taylor Glines, 37, from Texas City, Texas, allegedly had graphic sexual conversations with Alisa before she ran away

Court documents reveal Alisa referred to Mitchell as "daddy" and sent him locations, including a ski resort where she was with her family just before vanishing. When Mitchell claimed illness, Alisa allegedly shifted plans to meet Menard in Las Vegas, intending to travel to Miami with him. Surveillance footage shows her skipping school, buying supplies at a gas station, and asking strangers for help reaching a bus to Nevada.

Samuel Teancum Mitchell, 41, is the third alleged pedophile arrested for allegedly sexually exploiting Alisa online before she disappeared

Menard, originally from Indiana, worked in IT sales in Miami. Investigators describe him as a predator who meticulously groomed Alisa, exchanging graphic messages since January. His lawyers have not commented. Meanwhile, Glines faces additional charges in Texas for possessing child sexual abuse material.

Alisa’s distraught parents, Olga and Nikolai Petrov, say they monitored her phone but never suspected online predators. "She was trusting—they took advantage of her," Olga said, pleading for her daughter’s safe return. A $20,000 reward is offered for information.

Alisa returned from a family trip to Alta Ski Resort in Utah only hours before she disappeared

Police classify Alisa as an endangered runaway. She is 5’3”, 122 lbs, and was last seen in a white shirt with dark lettering.