Arrest warrant issued for Joplin man who fled to Vegas during child molestation investigation

 

Jasper County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Hensley signed off on an arrest warrant Wednesday for a Joplin man charged with child molestation, six counts of statutory sodomy, enticement of a child and furnishing pornographic material to a minor.

The probable cause warrant for Mitchell Allen Zebrowski, 35, indicates the Jasper County Sheriff's Office asked for the warrant after issuing a BOLO (be on the lookout) for him and learning that his vehicle was spotted in Las Vegas.

According to the probable cause statement, Zebrowski's molestation of the child occurred frequently over a period of years, beginning when the child was 9. The charges listed indicate crimes that took place between 2019 and 2023, with the statement noting that it occurred as recently as two weeks ago.

At one time, according to the probable cause statement, Zebrowski told the child she would have to keep quiet or he would have to hurt or kill her. Later, Zebrowski allegedly bribed the child and at times forced her to watch pornography him while he performed a solo sex act.

The probable cause statement says Zebrowski was arrested in Carterville for forcible sodomy in 2006. As part of a plea bargain agreement, Zebrowski pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of sexual misconduct in the first degree. Judge David Mouton gave Zebrowski a suspended sentence and placed him on unsupervised probation for two years.

Jasper County Circuit Court records indicate Judge Stephen Carlton issued a child protection order against Zebrowski shortly after the sodomy charge was filed.

During the time Zebrowski was on unsupervised probation, the Jasper County Sheriff's Office arrested him on a felony stealing charge. A plea bargain agreement was reached with the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office and Zebrowski pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge

Judge Richard Copeland sentenced him to one year in the Jasper County Jail, then suspended the sentenced and required him to do 40 hours of community service.

He was placed on unsupervised probation for one year.