Liberal High School janitor charged with sexual exploitation of 16-year-old Golden City girl

The Barton County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed felony sexual exploitation of a minor charges against a Liberal High School janitor today.

According to the probable cause statement, James Thomas Mayfield, 26, Lamar, admitted to investigators that he contacted a 16-year-old Golden City High School student on SnapChat and that they exchanged nude photos, including photos of Mayfield masturbating.

Mayfield also acknowledged getting into trouble for contacting a Liberal High School student in early 2022. He told investigators district officials told him what he had done was against district policy and gave him a warning.

From the probable cause statement:

On April 26, 2023, the Barton County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) requested the assistance of the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force (SMCCTF), with an enticement of a child investigation their agency was conducting. 

The BCSO received a report on April 26, 2023 of a now 16-year-old juvenile female, (hereinafter Jane Doe to protect her identity) reportedly being involved in a relationship with a 26-year-old adult male, identified as James Mayfield, and the two were communicating via the social networking platform Snapchat. 

As a result, Jane Doe's parents were contacted and they provided BCSO with Jane Doe's cellular telephone, and consent to search the device. They further agreed to have the child interviewed at the Joplin Children's Center, Joplin, MO. 

Jane Doe's cellular telephone was forwarded to the SMCCTF for forensic examination. Jane Doe and her parents live in Barton County, MO, and she is a student at Golden City High School.

On May 5, 2023, your affiant observed a child forensic interview conducted with Jane Doe, at the Joplin Children's Center. During the interview, she disclosed being contacted by Mayfield via Snapchat approximately one week prior to her cellular telephone being seized by the BCSO. She identified Mayfield as a 26-year-old male who is a janitor at the Liberal High School. 

She said the two have never met, however, they did discuss meeting in person, and Mayfield was aware of Jane Doe's age. She further disclosed sending Mayfield multiple images of herself, including nude images. Jane Doe said Mayfield sent her multiple images of himself, including full-nude images for approximately a week. 

Jane Doe advised during the conversations with Mayfield on Snapchat, Mayfield reportedly informed her he did not want anyone to know about their conversations, because he could get into trouble for communicating with her due to her age. 

Jane Doe stated she confided in a friend and fellow student, about her online relationship with Mayfield. She said her friend expressed her concern for Jane Doe, because Mayfield was reportedly involved with another female student from Liberal High School. 

Jane Doe advised she later confronted Mayfield about his involvement with another high school student. Mayfield reportedly informed Jane Doe, he stopped communicating with this girl, after learning she was underage. 

During Jane Doe's interview, she admitted to using her mother's cellular telephone and logging into her Snapchat account, after her cellular telephone was seized by the BCSO on April 26, 2023. She said after logging into the account, she blocked Mayfield on Snapchat. 

Jane Doe identified Mayfield's Snapchat Username as "jamesmayfield96." On May 10, 2023, the affiant submitted a preservation request to Snapchat regarding the account Username: "jamesmayfield96". Snapchat responded to the request and confirmed they had preserved the accounts. 

On May 17, 2023, the affiant was provided with the completed forensic examination of Jane Doe's cellular telephone. The examination revealed all of the content between Jane Doe and Mayfield in the Snapchat platform had been deleted. 

The examination did reveal a screen shot of Mayfield's Snapchat Username, as well as multiple images of Jane Doe in various forms of undress, including fully nude. The examination identified multiple closeup images of what appears to be multiple males with their penises exposed. The males are currently unidentified, as no faces are included in the images. 

Multiple images of a person who appears to be Mayfield were observed as being saved to the device. James Mayfield was also identified as a contact in Jane Doe's device with Facebook friend ID: 100007106953206. Mayfield's residence was identified as 116 B NW 20th Rd, Lamar, Barton County, MO. 

On May 31, 2023, your affiant contacted Mayfield at the Liberal High School, located at 205 N. Payne Street, Liberal, Barton County, MO 64762. At approximately 11: l 3AM, a recorded interview was conducted with Mayfield, while sitting in the library of the school. 

Post-Miranda, Mayfield admitted his Snapchat account Username is: jamesmayfield96. He admitted to communicating with at least two "underage" girls via social media, such as Facebook and Snapchat. He advised approximately two months ago, which would have been on or about March 2023, he added minor victim Jane Doe to his Snapchat account and that he was aware she was 16 years old at the time. He admitted to sending the minor victim nude images of himself, some of which, included his face.

Mayfield further admitted he sent the minor victim at least one video file of himself touching his penis, and to messaging Jane Doe that he wished she was engaged in this activity with him. He also admitted to discussing meeting the minor victim for the purpose of engaging in sexual relations with her. 

During the interview, Mayfield was asked about any nude images of Jane Doe that he had requested to be sent to him. He admitted he had asked for nude images of the minor victim, and she had complied with his request. He believes she sent him a total of 10 nude images of herself, some of which included her face. 

He further described the images as depicting the minor victim's breasts, as well as fully nude. Mayfield was asked if he had discussed getting into trouble for this activity with the minor victim. He admitted he had discussed it with her. He also admitted to being contacted by the minor victim and informed that she had been "talked to" regarding this incident. He said as a result, he unfriended her on all social media, and to deleting all images of the minor victim. 

Mayfield was asked about any similar incidents involving him communicating with underage girls. He described a previous incident near the beginning of 2022, where he had attempted to contact another female student, who attended Liberal High School. He said the incident was reported to School Administrators, and the matter was discussed with him, as well as the School District Policy regarding Staff/Student Relations. 

He said School Staff warned him of this type of behavior. Mayfield was asked if he had violated the policy. He admitted he had violated this policy, and he was aware it was wrong. 

While being interviewed, Mayfield was asked if he thought what he had done was legal or illegal. He admitted he was aware it was illegal, and that he should be in trouble. As a result of the above, it is believed a violation ofRSMo 573.023 - Sexual exploitation of a Minor has been committed.