East Prairie man arrested for promoting child pornography

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — An East Prairie, Missouri, man was arrested on child pornography charges Tuesday, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control.

Michael Tucker Jones, 18, of East Prairie faces charges of promoting and possession of child pornography. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigative Unit and the Missouri Digital Forensic Center.

On Tuesday investigators executed a search warrant at Jones’ residence located on Millar Road in East Prairie. As a result of the search, investigators seized child pornography and computer equipment. Jones was arrested and transported to the Mississippi County Jail.

On Wednesday the Mississippi County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged Jones with three counts of promoting child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Jones’ bond was set at $200,000.

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 Patrol said. The Digital Forensics Investigative Unit is partially funded by the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Missouri Digital Forensic Center is a joint effort of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Missouri Department of Social Services, and the Missouri National Guard Counterdrug Program, and is coordinated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.