Man arrested for photographing girl at Booster Field

A Mountain Grove man was arrested Thursday night in Willow Springs at Booster Field. Christopher Mitchell, 42, was present at the public park during practices for several youth activities, according to arresting officer Corporal David Hocking of the Willow Springs Police Department.

Bystanders reported Mitchell’s suspicious behavior, and the police responded to the park. Mitchell consented to a search of his cell phone, and the three most recent pictures in his gallery were images of a young girl present in the park.
 

The accused has no connection or legitimate reason to have been photographing the minor child, Hocking said.

Mitchell was taken into custody and booked by Willow Springs Police Department on a misdemeanor charge of harassment. He was cited, released, and served a trespassing notice.

In an interview Friday, Corporal Hocking told Howell County News that a felony charge of first-degree stalking will be submitted to the Howell County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Those charges are pending at publishing time.

“I’ve never worked a case like this at Booster Field,” Hocking said Friday.

Willow Springs Police Department will be picking up patrols more frequently at the park, confirms Assistant Chief Alan Lewis.