KC Reporter

A Callaway County man has been charged with nine counts of attempted production of child pornography, according to federal authorities. David Lee Maddox, 59, was indicted on August 5, 2025. The charges became public after his arrest and initial court appearance.

The investigation began on August 8, 2023, when the St. Louis Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office received information from HSI Portland, Maine. Authorities allege that Maddox communicated through Microsoft Skype with individuals known for trafficking and selling live and recorded child sexual abuse videos in the Philippines. According to investigators, Maddox used Skype to receive “shows” from minor victims in the Philippines and paid for these shows by sending money through money transmittal services. Between September 20, 2021, and December 23, 2023, officials say he received such shows involving underage females about 20 times.

“The charges contained in the indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence,” officials stated.

If convicted under federal law, Maddox could face up to 30 years in prison for each count without parole. Sentencing will be determined by the court based on advisory guidelines and other legal factors after a presentence investigation is completed by the United States Probation Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Turner is prosecuting the case. The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with support from Holts Summit Police Department and Missouri State Technical Assistance Team (STAT).

This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a national effort launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 that coordinates resources at all levels of government to address child sexual exploitation and abuse cases nationwide. More details about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc .