For further information please contact: Sergeant Dan Crain
573-368-2345
I10A07
October 2, 2007

EMPHASIS: Phelps County Resident Arrested For Sexual Misconduct Offenses

On September 24, 2007, the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney and the Rolla Police Department requested the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop I Unit of the Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) initiate an investigation of possible sexual misconduct involving Leonard J. Cook Jr., 31, of Rolla. At the time, Cook was employed by the University of Missouri Rolla Police Department.
Investigation by Patrol investigators revealed that Cook had deviate sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old female and had downloaded child pornography on his personal computer.
On October 2, 2007, members of the Troop I DDCC unit arrested Cook for second-degree statutory sodomy and possession of child pornography. Cook is being held in the Phelps County Jail pending the issuance of warrants. Any future information concerning this investigation will be disseminated by the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The charges for which Cook has been arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
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