By Jeff Lehr
jlehr@joplinglobe.com
An Internet-related investigation initiated by the St. Louis Police Department culminated this week with the arrest by Joplin police of a teen in connection with a child-pornography possession case.
Harry P. Sneed, IV, 19, was arrested Thursday at his dormitory room on the Missouri Southern State University campus in Joplin.
A probable-cause affidavit alleges that a laptop computer belonging to the student was seized and more than 300 still images and eight video files, depicting children under the age of 12 engaged in various sex acts and sexual poses, were discovered on it.
During an interview with an investigator, the affidavit states, Sneed admitted downloading, storing and viewing the material.
A single count of possession of child pornography was filed against the suspect Friday in Jasper County Circuit Court. Joplin police said Sneed may be facing other charges in connection with the St. Louis Police Department’s investigation.
Cyber-crimes detectives with the St. Louis police contacted Joplin police about their investigation March 1. At the time, they had an unknown suspect requesting nude photographs “from at least one 10-year-old female using the Internet,” according to an affidavit written by Joplin police Detective Chip Root.
The affidavit states that Sneed was arrested by police Thursday in his dorm room at Maupin Hall with the assistance of campus police.
The student’s computer is being subjected to a forensic examination by Detective Larry Roller of the Joplin Police Department, according to police.
