SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) A former Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper, whose service area covered the south-central part of the state and is accused of taking sexually explicit photos with a teen, has been indicted this week in federal court.
The Springfield News-Leader reports that 46-year-old Justin D. Watson is already facing state-level charges on allegations of having a sexual relationship with a high school student.
State court documents show authorities believe Watson took pornographic photos of a 16-year-old boy last year at his home in Mountain View. They allege the photos include sex toys and the genitalia of both the teen and Watson.
Watson was a trooper in south-central Missouri, including Ozark, Taney, Howell and Douglas counties, at the time of the alleged offenses. A highway patrol spokesman says Watson is no longer employed by the agency.
Watson’s attorney, Devin Kirby, didn’t immediately respond Friday to a telephone message left by the Associated Press seeking comment.
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