A joint law enforcement investigation led to the arrest of a Worth County man for sex trafficking and kidnapping.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 65-year-old Austin E. Myers of Denver, Missouri, was arrested for kidnapping, sexual trafficking of a child, and sodomy.
The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Sheriff’s Offices of Worth County, Missouri, and Columbia County, Georgia, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Nodaway County Juvenile Office, and with assistance of the Voices of Courage Child Advocacy Center, of St. Joseph, Missouri.
According to a MSHP news release, on Wednesday, April 24, the Worth County Sheriff’s Office was informed of the possible location of a runaway juvenile, by the Columbia County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office. The juvenile was reported to have run away from her home in Georgia and possibly at a residence on Highway M, in Denver, Missouri. Upon arrival at the residence, officers made contact with the juvenile from Georgia and Myers, who was the resident of the home. It was later found out that the juvenile had not been at Myers’ residence willingly.
As a result of a search of Myers’ residence, investigators seized computer equipment believed to have been used during the crimes. Members of the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigative Unit conducted forensic examinations on the computer equipment seized. As a result of the investigation, Myers was arrested and transported to the Worth County Sheriff’s Office. Myers was charged with first degree kidnapping, second degree sexual trafficking of a child, and first-degree sodomy. Myers’ bond was set at $125,000.00.
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. If you, or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave- please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at: 1-888-3737-888; or text 233733 (BeFree).
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.