ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY, Mo. (KFVS) – Missouri Highway Patrol Troopers say a St. Francois County man faces a child sex crime after a parent in California noticed something unusual.
The investigation began when that parent noticed their child was talking to a Missouri man online and notified the Riverside, California, Sheriff’s Office.
Missouri Highway Patrol Troopers say William “Red” Hackworth, 62, of Valles Mines, Missouri, was identified as the suspect in the case.
On March 24, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a home in St. Francois County, where officers say they found evidence of a crime. Hackworth was arrested and taken to the St. Francois County Jail.
Hackworth has been charged with sexual trafficking of a child and enticement of a child. His bond is set at $200,000.
Investigators with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, the Missouri Digital Forensic Center, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation.
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