MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Division of Drug and Crime Control - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE
For further information please contact:
Division of Drug and Crime Control
DDCC552023-2 (573) 526-6122
May 5, 2023
EMPHASIS:
Farmington, MO, Man Arrested For Possession of Child Pornography
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the following arrest, which is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigative Unit. The Patrol was assisted by the Farmington Police Department.
On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant on Hilltop Street in Farmington, MO, at the residence of William F. Howell, 23. As a result of their search, investigators seized electronic devices. The devices were processed at the Missouri Digital Forensic Center and found to have child pornography files on them.
On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged Howell with three counts of possession of child pornography. Howell is being held at the St. Francois County Jail with a bond of $100,000.
The Division of Drug and Crime Control encourages internet users to promptly report to the Patrol or local law enforcement anyone who attempts to engage in unwanted, inappropriate, or sexualized communications with children. The Digital Forensics Investigative Unit and Missouri Digital Forensic Center are partially funded through grants provided by the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Cyber Crime Grant (SCCG), and Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC).
The above charges are mere accusation and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
Follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on Twitter @MSHPTrooperDDCC
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