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
05/20/22
May 20, 2022
EMPHASIS:
Otterville, MO, Man Arrested For Promoting Child Pornography
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of Mathew Szymanowski, 24, of Otterville, Missouri, on Thursday, May 19, 2022, for promoting 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.
On Thursday, May 19, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at Szymanowski’s residence on Highway 135, in Otterville, Missouri. As a result of their search, investigators seized child pornography and computer equipment. Szymanowski was arrested and transported to the Cooper County Jail.
The Cooper County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged Szymanowski with two counts of promoting child pornography and three counts of possession of child pornography. Szymanowski remains in custody at the Cooper County Jail, with a bond of $50,000.
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 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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