Investigating technology-related offenses involving children as victims

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About SMCTTF

The Southwest Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force is responsible for investigating technology-related offenses, involving children as victims, for 22 southwest Missouri counties. These counties include Barry, Barton, Benton, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Douglas, Greene, Hickory, Howell, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Ozark, Polk, St. Clair, Stone, Taney, Vernon, Webster, and Wright counties.

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If you have information relating to child pornography, technology-facility sexual exploitation of a child, or solicitation of a child, please submit a tip using the form below.

    2024 Statistics

    In 2024, the SMCCTF opened 1,200 cases. Included in those reports were 653 Cyber Tipline Reports (CTRs) being assigned from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). A total of 335 cases were closed in 2024.

    In 2024, the task force observed a clear increase in CTRs and newly opened cases. Despite investigator attrition, the task force achieved a slight rise in arrests and a 134% increase in identifying child victims in Southwest Missouri.

    Computer forensic examiners conducted examinations on 471 cell phones and 122 computers, which resulted in more than 116 Terabytes of data being analyzed in support of the investigations above.

    The Task Force conducted several in-person internet safety presentations to more than 583 Missouri citizens.

    StatisticCount
    Cases Opened1,200
    Cyber Tipline Reports653
    Cases Closed335
    Southwest Missouri Child Victims Identified766
    Offenders Arrested74
    Cell Phones Examined471
    Computers Examined122
    Data Examined116 Terabytes
    Safety Presentations8
    Missouri Citizens Educated583

    Affiliate Agencies

    Joplin Police Department
    Jasper County Sheriff’s Office
    Springfield Police Department
    Greene County Sheriff’s Office
    West Plains Police Department
    Cassville Police Department
    Homeland Security Investigations
    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    Affiliate Resources

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