Man faces multiple charges involving a juvenile

PIEDMONT, Mo. — A Wayne County man faces multiple charges involving a juvenile victim.

Wesley K. Shatley, 29, of Piedmont was arrested Nov. 15 for furnishing pornographic materials to a minor, harassment, endangering the welfare of a child and sexual misconduct involving a child, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control.

The arrest was made following an investigation by members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.

On Nov. 12, the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control was requested to assist the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office with an alleged sexual offense, involving a 15-year-old juvenile victim, according to Sgt. Bradley R. Germann with the Patrol.

“Evidence obtained during the investigation revealed Shatley electronically sent pornographic images to the juvenile victim and attempted to arrange a meeting with the juvenile at a residence,” Germann said.

A probable cause affidavit seeking an arrest warrant was forwarded to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

On Nov. 14 the Wayne County prosecuting attorney formally charged Shatley with one count furnishing pornographic material to a minor, one count of harassment-first degree, one count of endangering the welfare of a child-first degree and one count sexual misconduct involving a child. Shatley was arrested and is currently being held in the Wayne County Jail, without bond.

The Division of Drug and Crime Control encourages individuals to promptly report to the Patrol or local law enforcement anyone who attempts to engage in unwanted, inappropriate, or sexualized communications with children.