JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of 31-year-old Stephen Earl Raymond Marez of Farmington, Mo.
Marez was arrested July 19, 2023, for one count of promoting child pornography and three counts of possession of child pornography, following an investigation by the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigations Unit. The Indiana State Police assisted in the investigation.
In June of 2023, investigators with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control/Digital Forensics Investigations Unit were contacted by members of the Indiana State Police, regarding a child pornography investigation involving Marez.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers then conducted a traffic stop July 13 of a vehicle driven by Marez, for a traffic violation. During this traffic stop, officers questioned Marez and seized his cellular telephone. Based on information provided by Indiana State Police, investigators executed a search warrant for that cellular telephone and discovered video files of child pornography.
On July 19, 2023, Marez was formally charged by the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney and is currently being held in the St. Francois County jail, on a $200,000 bond.
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 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.