A Birch Tree man is currently being held in the Shannon County Sheriff’s Office on charges of enticement of child, sexual misconduct involving a child and furnishing pornographic materials to a minor.
Court documents state that on Friday, August 21 deputies with the Shannon County Sheriff’s Department were made aware of a live video stream on Facebook involving Richard W. Holford III, 35 of Birch Tree, MO. The video was of Holford being accosted by a man with Truckers Against Predators. Holford was being accused by the man of attempting to meet up with a 13-year-old female by the name of “Lola”. Deputies with the Shannon County Sheriff’s Department reached out to the group and received a response on Saturday, August 22 from a male associated with that group. The entire conversation was sent to Deputy Dustin Lyon.
It is alleged that in the conversation that Holford had with “Lola” on July 30, 2020 at his residence in Birch Tree, MO that he asked “Lola” how old she was and she informed him, “Well I will be 14 in a few weeks!! I’m very mature for my age!! I’ve had to grow up fast and I think guys my age are sooo immature”. During their conversations inappropriate pictures of Holford were allegedly sent to “Lola”.
On Saturday, August 22 Holford called the Shannon County Sheriff’s Department and asked to speak with a deputy. Holford wanted to clear his name as he was getting threatened over a video on Facebook and that someone had misunderstood what he had said. Deputy Lyon asked Holford if he had everything on his phone. Holford stated that he had deleted them because he “had to get rid of the evidence”.
Holford was picked up at his residence and was read his Miranda Warning. During the interview with Holford, Deputy Lyon asked if he could take his cell phone as evidence to try and retrieve the messages to prove his side of the story. Holford handed over the cell phone. During the interview Holford kept stating that “Lola” was 22 years old but when pressed Holford stated that he knew she was only 13 years old. Holford’s plan was to pick up “Lola” at the truck stop and move her back down to Birch Tree, MO with him as his girlfriend, sleeping in bed together. Holford maintained that he didn’t do anything wrong as when he went to pick up “Lola” she didn’t show up.
Holford was arrested and is currently being held in the Shannon County Jail on charges of enticement of child, sexual misconduct involving a child and furnishing pornographic materials to a minor.
His bond has been set at $50,000.
