ST. LOUIS – The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of Stephen C. Watters, 38, of Farmington, Missouri, and Brandel L. Akers, 50, of Ironton, Missouri. Watters and Akers were arrested on September 28, 2023, for possession of child pornography, following an investigation by the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigative Unit. The State Technical Assistance Team (STAT) and the Farmington (Missouri) Police Department assisted in the investigation.
On Thursday, September 28, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant at Stephen C. Watters’ residence in Farmington, Missouri, as part of an ongoing child pornography investigation generated by a social media cyber tip. Investigators interviewed Watters who admitted to using his computer to search for and download child pornography. Watters also admitted to sending digital images of child pornography to Brandel L. Akers, of Ironton, Missouri, using the social media site responsible for the cyber tip.
Investigators contacted Akers who admitted to receiving and possessing child pornography sent to him by Watters. A consent search of Akers cellular telephone revealed the digital images of child pornography.
Watters and Akers were arrested and transported to the St. Francois County Jail, where they were held pending the filing of formal charges.
On September 28, 2023, the St. Francois County prosecuting attorney formally charged Watters with three counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of promoting child pornography.
On September 28, 2023, the St. Francois County prosecuting attorney formally charged Akers with three counts of possession of child pornography. Watters and Akers are being held in the St. Francois County Jail, each with 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.