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 Shawn Griggs
573-526-6236
07/24/20-01
July 24, 2020

EMPHASIS: Clarkton, Missouri, Man Arrested For Failing To Register As A Sex Offender & Possession Of Child Pornography

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of Richard Dean Smart, 65, of Clarkton, Missouri, on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, for failure to register as a sex offender and possession of child pornography. The arrest was 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 Clarkton Police Department, the Southeast Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the Missouri Digital Forensic Center.

On July 22, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at Smart’s residence located on James Street, in Clarkton. As a result of the search, investigators seized child pornography and computer equipment. Smart was arrested and transported to the Dunklin County Jail. On Thursday, July 23, 2020, the Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged Smart with two counts of failure to register as a sex offender and four counts of possession of child pornography. Smart’s bond was set at $125,000.

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 is partially funded by the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Missouri Digital Forensic Center is a joint effort of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Missouri Department of Social Services, and the Missouri National Guard Counterdrug Program, and is coordinated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The above charges are mere accusations 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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