Harold Lloyd Blair, Jr., Child Pornography, Missouri 2022

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A disturbing case of child pornography has come to light in Ava, Missouri, with Harold Lloyd Blair, Jr., 66, being indicted by a federal grand jury for using a minor to produce child pornography.

The indictment alleges that Blair used a minor to produce child pornography from Jan. 1, 2012, to Dec. 31, 2013.

The investigation began on Dec. 2, 2022, when workers employed by Douglas County, Mo., discovered a filing cabinet containing images of child pornography in a house they were tearing down. Workers using heavy equipment tore into a wall and found the filing cabinet, then contacted the Douglas County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department. Investigators learned that Blair had sold the house to the county.

State charges were originally filed against Blair in Douglas County but will be dismissed by the Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney in lieu of the federal indictment.

The charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Douglas County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the West Plains, Mo., Police Department, with assistance from the Douglas County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney.

As part of this disturbing case, Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, has brought this case forward. The initiative marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

Harold Lloyd Blair, Jr. faces one count of using a minor to produce child pornography, a federal charge that carries severe penalties. The exact sentence or outcome for Blair is yet to be determined.

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