KC Reporter

A man from Joplin, Missouri, has been sentenced in federal court for child pornography offenses involving two children. Russell Myers, 45, received a sentence from U.S. District Judge Steven R. Bough on April 8, which includes 25 years for each of two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. These sentences will run consecutively, resulting in a total of 50 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole. Additionally, Myers will face a lifetime of supervised release after his incarceration.

Myers will also need to register as a sex offender upon release, complying with both federal and state registration mandates that may apply for the rest of his life.

On September 26, 2024, Myers pled guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Court documents revealed that Myers exploited two minors, referred to as "Jane Doe" and "John Doe," to produce child pornography from January 1 to February 20, 2024.

The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher, with investigations carried out by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, the Jasper County Sheriff's Department, and the Joplin Police Department.

This case is part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a nationwide effort launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to target the increasing issue of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is managed by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, utilizing resources at the federal, state, and local levels to capture and prosecute those who exploit children and to help identify and rescue victims. Further details about Project Safe Childhood can be found on the Department of Justice website.