Christopher Paul Chmela, 52, of Republic, Mo., a registered sex offender with prior convictions for attempting to use a child in a sexual performance, now faces federal charges for the sexual exploitation of a minor. A three-count indictment unsealed Wednesday charges Chmela with producing child pornography and using a cell phone to lure a minor into illegal sexual acts.
The federal indictment alleges Chmela used a minor to produce child pornography between August 8 and October 25, 2017, in Greene County, Missouri. The charges were returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on February 21, 2018, and made public following Chmela’s arrest and initial court appearance on Thursday morning.
In addition to producing child pornography, Chmela is charged with receiving and distributing illegal material depicting children from May 26 to November 16, 2017. Authorities say digital evidence linked Chmela to the possession and transfer of explicit images through electronic devices, including a cell phone used to contact the victim.
Chmela’s criminal history includes prior convictions for the attempted use of a child in a sexual performance—a red flag that did not prevent further alleged offenses. Federal prosecutors are treating the case as a repeat offender escalation, with potential for enhanced penalties under federal sentencing guidelines.
The investigation was conducted by the Republic, Mo., Police Department and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller is prosecuting the case. U.S. Attorney Timothy A. Garrison emphasized that the indictment is an accusation, not proof of guilt, and that a trial jury will determine the outcome based on presented evidence.
This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, a DOJ initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation. The program unites federal, state, and local agencies to identify, arrest, and prosecute offenders while rescuing victims. More information is available at www.usdoj.gov/psc.
Related Federal Cases
- Maryville Sex Offender Edward Grimes Gets 19 Years for Child Porn · New York
- Missouri Sex Offender Caught with Child Porn Gets 15 Years · Missouri
- Springfield Sex Offender Joshua Wood Gets 15 Years for Child Porn · Missouri
- Raytown Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years for Child Porn Possession · Missouri
- Daniel C. Irwin Sentenced for Child Porn, Sex Meet-Up Attempt · Kansas
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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