JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of the following three individuals for possession and/or promotion of child pornography, following investigations by the Patrol’s Digital Forensic Investigative Unit.
Nathan D. Orr, 40, of Union Star, Missouri, was arrested on October 31, 2023, and formally charged by the DeKalb County Prosecuting Attorney on November 1, 2023, with one count of promoting child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Orr is currently being held in the Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail, with no bond. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri Department of Corrections assisted in the investigation.
Dwane M. Porter, 72, of West Plains, Missouri, was arrested on November 1, 2023, and formally charged by the Howell County Prosecuting Attorney on November 2, 2023, with one count of promoting child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Porter is currently being held in the Howell County Jail, with a $50,000 bond. The West Plains Police Department assisted in the investigation.
Aaron L. Cowling, 41, of Farmington, Missouri, was arrested on November 1, 2023, and formally charged by the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney on November 2, 2023, with three counts of promoting child pornography. Cowling is currently being held in the St. Francois County Jail, with a $200,000 bond. The Missouri Department of Corrections assisted in the investigation.
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.