More Than 4,500 Images Uncovered in Child Pornography Investigation at Troy Home
TROY, Mo. — A cyber tip involving suspected child sexual abuse material led investigators to a Troy home, where an examination of a laptop uncovered more than 4,500 images, including material investigators determined met the definition of child sexual abuse material.
David Robert Morton, Troy, Mo.
Charge:
Possession of child pornography — second/subsequent offense or possession of more than 20 pictures/one film/videotape — Class B felony
The investigation began after two CyberTips were submitted to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children involving three suspected files of child pornography.
Investigators reviewed the files and determined they contained child sexual abuse material. The files had been uploaded June 13 and were associated with a Gateway Fiber residential IP address geolocated to Troy.
Through legal process, investigators traced that IP address to a residence on Wingate Drive. Property records identified Morton as the owner of the home, and investigators later obtained a search warrant.
The warrant was executed Sept. 1 with Morton at the residence.
Morton agreed to speak with investigators and said he and his nephew lived at the home but did not use one another’s electronic devices.
When asked whether his nephew could be responsible for the suspected child pornography, Morton reportedly said no. When investigators then asked whether Morton was responsible, they reported that he appeared nervous and did not answer.
Investigators began identifying electronic devices inside the home. Morton acknowledged owning and recently using a silver HP laptop found in his bedroom.
As investigators went through the seized devices and asked whether child pornography would be found on them, Morton reportedly answered no for the other devices. When they reached the HP laptop, he did not answer.
Morton provided investigators with the laptop’s passcode. Once opened, the computer displayed a user profile under the name “Dave.”
Investigators reported finding a folder labeled “Illegal Porno” within that profile. Two files inside the folder were identified as child sexual abuse material.
Morton was taken into custody as investigators continued examining the computer.
An initial forensic review of the laptop substantially expanded the scope of the case.
Investigators reported finding more than 4,500 still images on the device.
The images included various collections depicting nude toddler-aged and prepubescent children. Investigators determined many appeared to meet the definition of child sexual abuse material, while others depicted children in various states of nudity.
The investigative records contain extensive and graphic descriptions of individual files. Lincoln CountyWatch is not publishing those descriptions because of the nature of the material and the ages of the children depicted.
At least one file identified through the original NCMEC CyberTip was later located on Morton’s laptop during the forensic examination.
Investigators also raised concerns about Morton’s proximity to children while seeking the arrest warrant.
The Wingate Drive residence is in a residential neighborhood with school-aged children and a playground nearby. During surveillance before the search warrant was executed, investigators reported seeing numerous children on the street near the home.
A neighbor also reported recently seeing Morton walking in the neighborhood with two small children she did not recognize.
Investigators cited an additional concern that Morton could leave the area, noting that he is originally from North Carolina and has family in several states.
Judge Michael R. Jacobs issued the arrest warrant with a $150,000 cash-only bond and ordered no contact with minors as a condition of release.
Morton has since been arrested and remains in custody.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m. before Jacobs for a counsel status hearing.
The case remains pending.
All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Criminal charges are allegations, and the filing of charges does not constitute a conviction.
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Primary Sources
Lincoln County Circuit Court case 26L6-CR00593
Charging documents
Investigative records filed in the case
Arrest warrant and warrant return
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