WEST PLAINS MAN ARRESTED IN CYBER CRIMES INVESTIGATION

On March 3, agents with the Southwest Cyber Crime Task Force conducted an interview with a suspect in a child exploitation investigation in Wright County. During the interview, the unidentified suspect implicated a West Plains man in the commission of crimes involving a minor child and child pornography. 
 
West Plains Police Department Task Force investigators made contact with Kenneth Worthy, 45, of West Plains on March 4. During the interview, Worthy disclosed his involvement with the crimes which involved a 21-month-old boy.
According to a probable cause statement filed by Detective Joe Neuschwander of the West Plains Police Department, Worthy gave consent for a forensic examination of his cell phone. Worthy further admitted to various unprintable acts perpetrated against the toddler.
 
Worthy was taken into custody, and the Howell County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed formal charges on March 5. The suspect faces one count of statutory sodomy, first degree child molestation, first degree endangering the welfare of a child, and incest. The original arrest warrant had no bond. 
 
Online court records show the suspect was assigned a public defender on March 10. As of press time, Worthy remains in custody. 
 

Howell County News

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