Lebanon Sex Offender Arrested for Child Pornography

A 62-year-old Lebanon man was arrested on February 28 for failure to register as a sex offender, and possession of child pornography.

George Wayne Scott is being held at the Laclede County Jail without bond after an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control's Digital Forensics Investigative Unit.

Authorities report discovering child pornography on computer equipment in Scott's home in Lebanon. The Laclede County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Scott with three counts of possession of child pornography and one count of failing to register as a sex offender.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Sex Offender Registry shows that Scott was arrested in 1999 and later sentenced on a number of charges, including possession of child pornography, and interstate transportation of a minor for criminal sexual activity.

Press release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of George Wayne Scott, 62, of Lebanon, Missouri, for failing to register as a sex offender and possession of child pornography on February 28, 2017. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigative Unit. Scott is being held in the Laclede County Jail without bond. The Patrol was assisted by the Lebanon Police Department.

On Tuesday, investigators executed a search warrant at Scott’s residence located in the 500 block of Bennett Avenue, in Lebanon. As a result of the contact, investigators located child pornography and computer equipment used to commit the crimes. Scott was arrested and transported to the Laclede County Jail. The Laclede County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged Scott with three counts of possession of child pornography and one count of failing to register as a sex offender.

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 Digital Forensics Investigative Unit is partially funded by the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s State Cyber Crime Grant and the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

The above charges are mere accusations 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.