FARMINGTON – The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) announces the arrest of 32-year-old Robert Rutherford-Sobol of Bonne Terre, MO, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, and 24-year-old Christopher C. Short of Farmington, MO, on May 21, 2025, for child sex crimes following an investigation by the DDCC’s Special Victims Unit (SVU).
In March 2025, while conducting an online child pornography investigation, SVU investigators obtained a cyber-tip indicating a device associated with Rutherford-Sobol had uploaded a sexually explicit image identified as child pornography.
On May 20, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at Rutherford-Sobol’s residence in St. Francois County, MO, where they contacted and interviewed him. Several items were seized as evidence, and Rutherford-Sobol was arrested and transported to the St. Francois County Jail.
On May 21, 2025, the St. Francois Prosecuting Attorney charged Rutherford-Sobol with one felony count of Possession of Child Pornography. He is being held at the St. Francois County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
In December 2024, while conducting an online child pornography investigation, SVU investigators obtained a cyber-tip indicating a device associated with Short had shared an explicit video that was identified as child pornography.
On May 21, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at Short’s residence in Farmington, MO, where they interviewed Short and seized evidence. Short was arrested and transported to the St. Francois County Jail. On May 22, 2025, the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney charged Short with two felony counts of Sexual Trafficking of a Child. Short is being held at 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 charges for which the above individuals were arrested are mere accusations and 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.