KC Reporter

A former police officer from Grain Valley, Missouri, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the sexual exploitation of a child. August Price Gildehaus, 28, admitted guilt in federal court to enticing a minor for illegal sexual activity and producing child pornography.

Gildehaus, who was serving as a police officer at the time of the offenses, faced initial charges from the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office. In his plea before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, Gildehaus acknowledged engaging in illegal activities with a 15-year-old girl whom he met through an online social media platform. Their meetings occurred on five occasions between August 5, 2022, and January 5, 2023, at various locations including a middle school parking lot.

He confessed that both he and the victim took photographs of themselves which were exchanged between them. Additionally, Gildehaus recorded videos of their encounters.

Under federal law, Gildehaus faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison without parole and could be sentenced up to life imprisonment without parole. The final sentencing will be determined by the court after considering advisory guidelines and other factors following a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Brackett is prosecuting this case with investigations conducted by the Grain Valley Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project coordinates efforts among federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood or Internet safety education resources, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.