Related Federal Cases
- Trevor Norman, Child Sex Exploitation, Missouri 2023 · Massachusetts
- James Anthony Guthrie III, Child Sex Exploitation, NC 2023 · Michigan
- Jake Ethan Patterson, Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Missouri 2021 · Iowa
- Jake Ethan Patterson, Child Exploitation, Missouri 2023 · Kansas
- Matthew Gamel, Child Sex Abuse Recording, Missouri 2023 · Kansas
Bolivar Sex Offender Charged with Sex Exploitation of a Child
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Merle G. Daniels, 44, a registered sex offender from Bolivar, Mo., was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a child victim.
Daniels, who has been previously convicted of statutory rape, two counts of statutory sodomy, and interference with custody in Greene County, Mo., is charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield. The charges include that Daniels used a victim under the age of 16 to produce child pornography from Nov. 9 to Dec. 9, 2022. He is also charged with one count of being a registered sex offender and committing a felony offense involving a minor, and one count of transferring obscene material to the child victim.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges 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 Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Polk County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of 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. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab ‘resources.’
The indictment alleges that Daniels used a victim under the age of 16 to produce child pornography from Nov. 9 to Dec. 9, 2022. He is also charged with one count of being a registered sex offender and committing a felony offense involving a minor, and one count of transferring obscene material to the child victim.
Daniels, who has been previously convicted of statutory rape, two counts of statutory sodomy, and interference with custody in Greene County, Mo., faces three counts: (1) Using, Persuading, Inducing, Coercing, or Enticing Any Person Under the Age of 16 to Engage in Production of Child Pornography (18 U.S.C. § 2251(a)); (2) Being a Registered Sex Offender and Committing a Felony Involving a Minor (18 U.S.C. § 2260A); and (3) Transferring Obscene Material to a Minor (18 U.S.C. § 1470).
Project Safe Childhood was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.
This case is a stark reminder of the importance of protecting our nation’s children from predators like Daniels. We will continue to work tirelessly to bring these individuals to justice and keep our communities safe.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes