Joplin man indicted on child pornography charge

 

A grand jury indictment of Jeffrey Martin Steele, 50, Joplin, on a child pornography charge was unsealed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

The charges stem from a Newton County Sheriff's Office investigation that led to the filing of similar charges against Steele in Newton County Circuit Court.

The allegations against Steele are detailed in the probable cause statement:

Jeffrey Martin Steele committed the offense of possession of child pornography by being in possession of child pornography of a minor less than 18 years of age consisting of moving images depicting sexual activities with a child.
Jeffrey Steele was contacted at in reference to information provided to law enforcement about him potential having child sexual abuse material on a phone in his possession.

While speaking with Mr. Steele, I was granted consent to look through the iPhone 16 Pro Max which Mr. Steele stated was his and that he only has access to it. Mr. Steele provided me with the passcode to access the phone and helped me locate the photo gallery on the phone.

In the image/video gallery of the phone, I witnessed several images and videos of a sexual nature with one appearing to depict a child. I selected that video where I witnessed a young female child naked on the floor with what appears to be an adult female with her. 

As the video progressed the adult female depicted in the video began performing sexual acts on the child.

At this time the video was shut down and Mr. Steele was advised of his Miranda Rights which he stated he understood. Mr. Steele consented to an additional scan of the phone where I witnessed what appeared to be more videos depicting sexual activity with children. Mr. Steele was arrested and transported to the Newton County jail was he was placed in the interview room, and he was once again advised of his Miranda Rights and he signed the associated form acknowledging his rights.

Mr. Steele also completed a consent to search form for the 16 Pro Max I witnessed the video on as well as the iPhone 14, Motorola (model and the Google Pixel which were identified through this investigation as being under his operation and control.