South Central Missouri Computer Crime Task Force

The South-Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force conducts investigations of child sexual exploitation online. Reactive investigations are complaints and/or tips provided to the task force in furtherance of an investigation. Cyber Tips are traditionally generated by internet service providers as required by federal law. On August 4, 2020 Joseph Martin Rodriguez, age 48, of Rolla, MO was arrested in the 11000 Blk of State Route C Newburg, MO for Failure to Register as a S...ex Offender and Resisting Arrest. Rodriguez was incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail pending warrants. Later that day, one count of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender (Class D Felony) and one count of Resisting Arrest (Class E Felony) were filed by the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. A warrant was issued for Rodriguez’s arrest. Rodriguez’s bond was set $25,000. Rodriguez remains incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail. The investigation of Joseph Rodriguez was initiated as a result of a Cyber Tip provided by an internet service provider whereas suspected child pornography exploitation material was uploaded on a social multimedia messaging application. During the course of the investigation the suspect, Rodriguez was identified. Furthermore, it become known that he was a registered sex offender in Phelps County Missouri. It was learned that Rodriguez had not either updated or registered several requirements. On August 4, 2020 a detective with SCMCCTF went to his residence to interview him about the allegations. The detective believed probable cause existed to arrest Rodriguez. During the course of the arrest, Rodriguez physically resisted the arrest and attempted to flee back into his residence. The charges which Rodriguez have been arrested are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before the court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. **Comments of obscenity or violence will not be tolerated and subjected to account/comment being blocked and/or deleted. **

The South-Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force continuously conducts proactive and reactive investigations into allegations of child sexual exploitation online within the nine-county regional area. Recently two Cyber Tip investigations resulted in arrests. On June 30, 2020, David Glen Gresty, age 39, of Rolla, MO was arrested in the 60 Blk Rolla Gardens in Rolla for outstanding Phelps County arrest warrants of the original charges Non-Support and Domestic Assault 2nd ...Degree. While in custody Gresty was interviewed pertaining an investigation of Possession of Child Pornography that had occurred previous to his arrest. Gresty was incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail in lieu of capias bond for the arrest warrants. On July 1, 2020 five counts of Possession of Child Pornography (Class D Felony) were filed by the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. A warrant was issued for Gresty’s arrest. Gresty’s bond was set $50,000. Gresty remains incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail. On July 8, 2020, Alexander Justin Jackson, age 30, of Rolla, MO was arrested in the 500 Blk West 2nd Street in Rolla for Possession of Child Pornography. Jackson was incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail pending warrant. On July 9, 2020 seven counts of Possession of Child Pornography (Class B Felony) were filed by the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. A warrant was issued for Jackson’s arrest. Jackson’s bond was set $200,000. Jackson remains incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail. The investigations of both Jackson and Gresty were initiated as a result of separate Cyber Tips provided by different internet service providers whereas suspected child exploitation was being possessed by the alleged suspects on data storage platforms. During months long investigations search warrants were executed whereas evidence of ownership, custody, and control of child pornography was found. The charges which Gresty and Jackson have been arrested are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before the court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. **Comments of obscenity or violence will not be tolerated and subjected to account/comment being blocked and/or deleted. **

On Friday, May 1, 2020, Rodney Alan Trolinger, age 52, of Licking, MO was arrested in the 500 Blk South Elm Street in Rolla, for one count Enticement or Attempted Enticement of a Child. Trolinger was incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail pending warrants. On Saturday, May 2, 2020 one count of Enticement or Attempted Enticement of a Child was filed by the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. A warrant was issued for his arrest. Trolinger’s bond was set $50,000. Rodn...ey Trolinger’s arrest was a result of an investigation conducted by a detective of the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department assigned to the South-Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force. It is alleged that Trolinger communicated on the internet with someone whom he believed was less than fifteen years of age, he arranged to meet the juvenile in the public location known as Rolla Cemetery, to travel to a location in Texas County Missouri to later engage in sexual conduct. Assisting in the arrest were Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and the City of Rolla Police Department. The charges which Trolinger have been arrested are merely 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. **Comments of obscenity or violence will not be tolerated and subjected to account/comment being blocked and / or deleted**

SCMCCTF would like to remind parents that under the current state of affairs, although you might social distance yourself or your children, they still have the key to the world on any device that has internet access. This is a great time to speak with them about online safety, discuss who they are communicating with online, and what applications they are using to stay socially attached.

Parents do you need a resource for talking to your child about internet safety. Check out this resource https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/home

Thanks to the Rolla Optimist Club for hosting its annual Respect for Law Enforcement Banquet last night. Detective Dillon of Rolla Police Department received recognition and was awarded "Friend of Youth" Award "for his dedication to keeping our youth safe from cyber danger and for providing educational programs for teachers, parents, and youth alike." Rolla Police Department is a member agency of the SCMCCTF. Through Detective Dillon's efforts, the component of community outreach is successfully delivered to hundreds of students and other community members throughout the region. Thank you for a job well done!

LAWRENCE MULLEN GETS THREE LIFES PLUS 22 YEARS FOR STATUTORY SODOMY AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY On Monday, the Honorable William E. Hickle sentenced Lawrence Mullen, ...49 of Rolla, to three life sentences plus 22 years in prison for two counts of statutory sodomy, and one count each of sexual exploitation of a child, possession of child pornography, and use of a child in a sexual performance. All the sentences were ordered to be served consecutively to one another. The case was prosecuted by Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney, Brendon Fox and Assistant Prosecutor, Kara Breshears. The sentencing follows guilty verdicts on all counts by a Pulaski County jury on July 19, 2017. This was one of the most horrible cases I have ever had to prosecute. Mr. Mullen subjected his five year old victim to horrible sexual abuse and photographed himself doing it. Additionally he had many images of child pornography on his computer. I’m thankful for the victim’s mother for coming forward and making sure he couldn’t have any more victims. I’m thankful for the investigation by the Det. Sgt. Hank Harper and the others at RPD. I’m thankful for the excellent forensic computer work performed by Inv. Wayne Becker. I’m thankful for the work by Moriah Joplin and everyone else at all Child Advocacy Centers state wide. And I am thankful for the assistance at trial by Assistant Prosecutor Kara Breshears and my Legal Assistant Linda Morris. This was a big win for the good guys and we can all rest a little easier knowing Lawrence Mullen can never hurt another child. said Fox.