MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Division of Drug and Crime Control - P.O. Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102
News Release
For further information please contact:
Sgt. Bradley R. Germann
06/20/2025 573-526-6122
June 20, 2025
EMPHASIS:
Farmington, MO, Woman Arrested For Child Sex Crimes
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) announces the arrest of Erika L. Morton, 36, of Farmington, MO, for child sex crimes following an investigation by the DDCC Special Victims Unit (SVU).
SVU investigators received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating an online user had uploaded sexually explicit images/videos identified as child pornography. After further investigation, Morton was identified as the suspect. Multiple files of sexually explicit images/videos were sent by Morton as part of sexually charged conversations she was having with online users.
On June 17, 2025, investigators contacted and interviewed Morton. Several items of evidence were seized, and Morton was arrested and transported to the Ste. Genevieve County Jail.
On June 18, 2025, the Ste. Genevieve County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged Morton with five counts of felony Possession of Child Pornography and five counts of felony Promoting Child Pornography. She is being held at the Ste. Genevieve County Jail on a $1,000,000 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 charges for which the above individual was arrested are mere accusations and 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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