09/01/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2026
𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐅’𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐈-𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐘 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office recently assisted the South Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force in an investigation that resulted in the arrests of two Bourbon residents and the filing of multiple felony charges.
On August 30, 2026, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the 2000 block of Highway C near Bourbon. The warrant was obtained following an investigation into allegations involving child sexual abuse material and other criminal activity.
During the ex*****on of the search warrant, investigators located evidence that resulted in the arrests of Daniel Reed Whatley, 45, and Jessica Lyn Whatley, 46, both of Bourbon, on alleged controlled-substance offenses. Both were subsequently incarcerated in the Crawford County Jail.
On August 31, the Crawford County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed felony charges against Daniel Whatley for Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Fi***rm, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Jessica Whatley was charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Warrants were issued for both individuals with capias bonds (no bond).
As the investigation continued, electronic devices seized pursuant to the search warrant were forensically examined by the South Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force. Based upon evidence developed during that examination, additional probable cause statements were submitted to the Crawford County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
𝐎𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝟏𝟎 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐭.
As of the issuance of this release, Daniel and Jessica Whatley remain incarcerated in the Crawford County Jail.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲. Assistance was provided by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 (𝟓𝟕𝟑) 𝟒𝟐𝟔-𝟑𝟖𝟔𝟎.
The charges referenced in this release are allegations and are not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
