Ex-Missouri Trooper Federally Indicted in Sex Crimes Case

A former Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper accused of taking sexually explicit photos with a teen has been indicted in federal court.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that 46-year-old Justin D. Watson is already facing state-level charges on allegations of having a sexual relationship with a high school student.

State court documents show authorities believe Watson took pornographic photos of a 16-year-old boy last year at his home in Mountain View. They allege the photos include sex toys and the genitalia of both the teen and Watson.

Watson was a trooper in south-central Missouri at the time of the alleged offenses. A highway patrol spokesman says Watson is no longer employed by the agency.

Watson’s attorney, Devin Kirby, didn’t immediately respond Friday to a telephone message from The Associated Press.