A grand jury indictment of Uriah Behl, 39, Carthage, on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and possession and distribution of child pornography was unsealed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
According to the indictment, Behl persuaded a minor to “engage in sexually explicit conduct” to make a video.
He also allegedly received and distributed child pornography. Both crimes occurred between November 12, 2023 and February 18, 2024.
The charges appear connected to eight felony charges of invasion of privacy filed by the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s office in a case that was investigated by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. Judge John Nicholas dismissed four of the charges.
From the probable cause statement in the Jasper County case:
On February 18, 2024 at 2030 hours, I Sgt. Calvin #349 was dispatched to an address outside of Carthage, Jasper County, reference a possible sexual offence. Upon arrival, I was contacted by eight victims who advised the suspect Uriah Behl had placed a cell phone in a community shower room and video recorded them while in a state of undress without their knowledge.
The shower room is for community use but is a private area and has a locking door to insure privacy.Â
Victim 1 advised she located the phone in the shower room recording and while checking the phone noticed videos with the other victims on the phone. The suspect Uriah Behl admitted to placing the cell phone in the room to capture a female while taking a shower. Mr. Behl was taken into custody at 2144 hours.
Originally appeared on The Turner Report
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