MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Division of Drug and Crime Control-P.O. Box 568, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
News Release
For further information please contact:
Sergeant Darrin Haslag
573-526-6302
10/27/2023
October 30, 2023
EMPHASIS:
Sedalia, Missouri, Man Arrested For Possession Of Child Pornography
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of Frank C. Jenkins, 35, of Sedalia, Missouri. Jenkins was arrested on October 26, 2023, for three counts of possession of child pornography, one count of promoting child pornography, and one count of tampering with physical evidence, following an investigation by the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigations Unit. Investigators with the State Technical Assistance Team, Sedalia (Missouri) Police Department, and the Office of Special Investigations at Whiteman Air Force Base also assisted in the investigation.
In March 2023, investigators received a tip from an online platform indicating a user had uploaded and shared a digital file suspected of being child pornography at a residence in Knob Noster, Missouri. Investigators ultimately identified this person as Frank C. Jenkins, of Sedalia, Missouri. On Thursday, October 26, 2023, investigators contacted Jenkins at his place of employment in Knob Noster, Missouri, where they interviewed him. Jenkins admitted to possessing and distributing child pornography using his cellular telephone. Jenkins also admitted to deleting some of these digital files when he was notified that law enforcement were wanting to speak with him. During a consent search of Jenkin’s cellular telephone, investigators located digital files of child pornography. Jenkins was arrested and transported to the Johnson County Jail where he was held pending the filing of formal charges. On October 27, 2023, the Johnson County prosecutor formally charged Jenkins with three counts of possession of child pornography, one count of promoting child pornography, and one count of tampering with physical evidence. Jenkins is currently being held in the Johnson County Jail, on a $50,000 cash only bond.
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 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 X @MSHPTrooperDDCC
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