South Central Missouri Computer Crime Task Force

04/24/2026

Press Release:

On Thursday, April 23, 2026, Richard Emmett Robertson, age 59, of Rolla, Missouri was arrested in the 11000 block Private Drive 8247 Rolla, Missouri for Failure to Register As A S*x Offender. Robertson was incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail pending warrants.

Friday, April 24, 2026, one count of Failure to Register As A S*x Offender was filed by the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. A warrant was issued for Robertson's arrest. $50,000 bond was ordered. Currently, Robertson remains incarcerated at time of this press release.

The investigation of Richard E. Robertson was initiated as result of report of concern by an internet application provider, whereas suspected predatory behavior was observed. During the investigation, information was developed that Robertson is a convicted s*x offender.

A search warrant was authorized by the 25th Judicial Circuit Associate Court for Robertson’s residence and electronic storage devices for evidence of Failure to Register. On April 23, 2026, Robertson was interviewed whereas he admitted to ownership of the accounts reported. Additionally, online identifiers, which are required by RSMo § 589.414, to be registered as a s*x offender were present devices.

Assisting the South-Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force was Phelps County Sheriff's Department. The successful collaboration of concerned citizens and SCMCCTF demonstrates the power of teamwork, innovation, and shared expertise in combating internet crimes against children.

The charges which Robertson has 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.

If you have additional information about this case please call South Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force, (573) 426-3860. You can also call the Phelps County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) confidential tip line at (573) 426-2936, or submit a tip on the PCSD app, which can be located and downloaded for free from Play Store or App Store.

04/22/2026

Thank you to Rolla Public School District for hosting this event. We truly appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with RPS and share valuable information with the community. Please contact South Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force at Phelps County Sheriff Department if you would like to host a presentation like this one.

03/13/2026

Parents and caregivers—one of the most powerful tools we have to protect our children online is simple: conversation. When? Now, simply as soon as you give an electronic device for entertainment, education, or communication.

Start talking with your kids early about online safety. Discuss what respectful behavior looks like, what to do if something online makes them uncomfortable, and remind them they can always come to you for help—no matter what.

Open, ongoing conversations help prevent online abuse, exploitation, and bullying before they happen. When kids know they’re supported and heard, they’re more likely to speak up and seek help.

Let’s work together to create safer digital spaces for our children.

03/11/2026

Press Release:

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Raymond Cody Scott, age 34, of St James, Missouri was arrested in the 500 block East James Blvd. St James, Missouri for Possession of Child Po*******hy. Scott was incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail pending warrants.

Wednesday, March 11, 2026, eight counts of Promoting Child Po*******hy 1st Degree (Class B Felony) and seven counts of Possession of Child Po*******hy (Class B Felony) were filed by the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. A warrant was issued for Scott’s arrest. Bond was ordered, $500,000 cash/surety with special conditions. Currently, Scott remains incarcerated at time of this press release.

The investigation of Raymond Cody Scott was initiated as result of thirteen (13) Cyber Tipline Reports by various electronic service providers, whereas suspected child po*******hy was either uploaded, distributed, and/or stored. During the investigation, search warrants were served to several electronic service providers for the user and content of each account. The result of those searches was evidence of possession of child po*******hy; no less than five hundred files were located.

A search warrant was authorized by the 25th Judicial Circuit Associate Court for Scott’s residence and electronic storage devices for evidence of possession of child po*******hy. On March 10, 2026, Scott was located and attempted to be interviewed pertaining possession of child po*******hy. Scott stated he expected law enforcement to find him and speak with him about “minors” from the internet, and then immediately invoked his Constitutional Rights. According to Scott, the suspected devices utilized for the accounts had been stolen by an identified friend. Later, that friend was located and denied any knowledge of the theft or property.

Assisting the South-Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force was Phelps County Sheriff's Department and St James Police Department. The successful collaboration of multiple agencies demonstrates the power of teamwork, innovation, and shared expertise in combating internet crimes against children.

The charges which Scott has 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.

If you have additional information about this case please call South Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force, (573) 426-3860. You can also call the Phelps County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) confidential tip line at (573) 426-2936, or submit a tip on the PCSD app, which can be located and downloaded for free from Play Store or App Store.

03/04/2026

Press Release:

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Edward Lee Lane, age 59, of Salem, Missouri was arrested in the 800 block East Ellis Street Salem, Missouri for Possession of Child Po*******hy and Failure to Register As A S*x Offender. Lane was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail pending warrants.

Wednesday, March 4, 2026, twenty (20) counts of Possession of Child Po*******hy (Class B Felony) and four counts of Failure to Register As A S*x Offender were filed by the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. A warrant was issued for Lane’s arrest. No bond was ordered. Currently, Lane remains incarcerated at time of this press release.

The investigation of Edward Lee Lane was initiated as result of a Cyber Tipline Report by an electronic service provider, whereas suspected child po*******hy was uploaded and stored. During the investigation, information was developed that Lane is a convicted s*x offender, and currently on parole with Missouri Department Of Corrections for the offense Fail to Register As A S*x Offender.

A search warrant was authorized by the 42nd Judicial Circuit Associate Court for Lane’s residence and electronic storage devices for evidence of possession of child po*******hy. On March 3, 2026, Lane was interviewed whereas he admitted to ownership of the social media account and personal electronic devices. Additionally, he was aware the presence of child po*******hy on his devices, but denied knowledge how they were derived on the devices. Subsequently, a search of Lane’s personal cellular device revealed Lane was in possession of child po*******hy at the time. Additionally, several online identifiers, which are required by RSMo § 589.414, to be registered as a s*x offender were present on the device.

Assisting the South-Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force were Phelps County Sheriff's Department, Dent County Sheriff's Office, and Salem Police Department. The successful collaboration of multiple agencies demonstrates the power of teamwork, innovation, and shared expertise in combating internet crimes against children.

The charges which Lane has 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.

If you have additional information about this case please call South Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force, (573) 426-3860. You can also call the Phelps County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) confidential tip line at (573) 426-2936, or submit a tip on the PCSD app, which can be located and downloaded for free from Play Store or App Store.

02/26/2026

We like to thank Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney Taylor Banholzer and her team for their hardwork and dedication to bring this case to final disposition.

A Rolla man was sentenced to prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing child s*xual abuse materials (CSAM).On February 19, 2026, Cameron D. Daughenbaugh, 27,

02/20/2026

Thank you Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney Taylor Banholzer for you and your office hard work and dedication to bring this to a final disposition.

SHANE MULLINS TO SERVE THREE CONSECUTIVE LIFE SENTENCES

On Tuesday, January 23, 2026, Shane Mullins, 31, of Cuba, was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences in the Missouri Department of Corrections after previously pleading guilty to two counts of statutory so**my in the first degree and one count of statutory r**e in the first degree. The Honorable John D. Beger presided over the plea. Mullins previously pled guilty pursuant to Section 566.125, RSMo, declaring him a predatory s*xual offender.
Mullins was arrested in June of 2024, after investigation by Phelps County Sheriff’s Detectives, ICAC, and Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department.

“It was extremely important to both the Prosecutor’s Office and the detectives on the case that Mr. Mullins spend the rest of his life in prison so that he cannot have the chance to prey on another child” said Phelps County Prosecutor Banholzer, who prosecuted the case. “This is an important conviction for ensuring the safety of our young people.”

At the sentencing hearing in January, Judge Beger set Mr. Mullins’ minimum parole eligibility date for 35 years from the date of the hearing. Mullins will be 66 years old when he becomes parole eligible.

02/19/2026

Thank you Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Thomas for your hard work bringing this case to final disposition.

Press release: Jeff Thomas, Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney announces that Daniel Gaines has been sentenced to 20 years in the Department of Corrections for Possession of Child Po*******hy. Following a plea of guilty to two counts of Possession of child po*******hy in December, on February 18, 2026, Judge Brendon Fox sentenced Daniel Gaines to 20 years in the Department of Corrections. This case was investigated by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

02/10/2026

Here at the SCMCCTF, we have certainly seen an increase in this nefarious behavior by bad doers. Parents please .

02/10/2026

SCMCCTF joins in celebrating on Feb. 10. Learn about a free virtual parent program and find classroom resources to help families and schools navigate the digital world: Safer.ConnectSafely.org