FARMINGTON – The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of Mark Alan Chaplin, 60, of Farmington, Missouri, on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, for promoting and possession of child pornography. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigative Unit.
On Wednesday, August 10, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at Chaplin’s residence on Hawthorne Drive, in Farmington, Missouri. As a result of their search, investigators seized child pornography and computer equipment. Chaplin was arrested and transported to the St. Francois County Jail.
On Thursday, August 11, 2022, the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged Chaplin with two counts of promoting child pornography and four counts of possession of child pornography. Chaplin was issued a bond of $150,000. The Patrol was assisted by the Farmington Police Department.
The Division of Drug and Crime Control encourages internet users to promptly report to the Patrol or local law enforcement anyone who attempts to engage in unwanted, inappropriate, or sexualized communications with children. The Digital Forensics Investigative Unit is partially funded by the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The above charges are mere accusation and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.