Multiple Arrests Made In Child Exploitation Investigation

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of three people in connection with a child exploitation investigation, which began in March 2023, in Jackson County, Missouri.

On March 6, 2023, the Grain Valley Police Department requested the assistance of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control/Digital Forensic Investigation Unit with an investigation into a missing juvenile female from Grain Valley, Missouri. After being reported as missing, the female returned home. Grain Valley investigators then learned she had possibly been sexually exploited. Evidence and interviews led investigators to three men who, on separate occasions, met the minor female to engage in sexual acts.

The following individuals have been charged in this case:

The Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney charged August P. Gildehaus, 27, of Grain Valley, Missouri, with sodomy first degree, sexual exploitation of a minor, statutory sodomy second degree, and statutory rape second degree. Gildehaus was arrested April 11, 2023.

The Clay County Prosecuting Attorney charged Tryston M. Hastings, 24, of Kansas City, Missouri, with two counts of statutory sodomy second degree and two counts of statutory rape second degree. Hastings was arrested May 24, 2023.

The Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney charged Antoine Richardson, 24, of Leavenworth, Kansas, with two counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of statutory rape second degree. Richardson was arrested June 9, 2023.

The charges for which the above individuals were arrested are mere accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the above charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

The Grain Valley (Missouri) Police Department, Springfield (Missouri) Police Department, and Leavenworth (Kansas) Police Department assisted with the investigation.

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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 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.

Follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control on Twitter @MSHPTrooperDDCC