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
1011201901
October 11, 2019

EMPHASIS: Farmington, Missouri, Man Arrested For Sexual Trafficking Of A Child

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of James L. Rodgers, 40, of Farmington, Missouri, on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, for sexual trafficking 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 October 9, 2019, investigators contacted Rodgers at his residence located on North Carleton Street in Farmington. As a result of their contact with Rodgers, investigators developed information leading them to obtain a search warrant for the residence. During the execution of the search warrant at Rodgers’ residence, Rodgers’ was found to be in possession of computer equipment containing child pornography. Investigators seized child pornography and computer equipment, and found information indicating Rodgers had been in contact with more than one child. These contacts made by Rodgers were made with children over the Internet and were sexual in nature. Rodgers was arrested and transported to the St. Francois County Jail.
On Thursday, October 10, 2019, the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged Rodgers with one count of sexual trafficking of a child first degree and one count of sexual trafficking of a child second degree. Rodgers’s bond was set at $500,000. This investigation is ongoing and being conducted by the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigative Unit.
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 Department of Public Safety State Cyber Crime Grant and the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
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.
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