Grand jury indicts Joplin man who allegedly molested seven-year-old, showed child porn to two children

A federal grand jury today indicted a Joplin man who allegedly molested a seven-year-old boy and showed child pornography to the boy and another child.

David Pierce, 51, was arrested May 29 and Judge David P. Rush ordered him held without bond following a preliminary hearing. In hid order, Rush cited the potential danger Pierce posed if allowed bond.

The Court notes that the current charge involves a child, use of a computer to facilitate the alleged offense, and a sex offense. The Court further notes safety concerns for the community and at least one minor victim. The evidence at the hearing established that the defendant was providing pornography to at least two minor victims and molested one of the two victims. 

The initial arrested occurred following a Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and Joplin Police Department investigation, which started after a hotline complaint was made about a seven-year-old boy's inappropriate actions at school.

The probable cause affidavit alleges Pierce, who was staying at the home of a Joplin woman, showed child pornography to two underage boys and fondled one of them.

After executing a search warrant for Pierce's phone, investigators found 1,217 child pornography images, according to the affidavit.