West Plains, MO. – A Hartville man has been arrested and charged for child pornography, sexual exploitation of a minor child, and other felonies.
Patrick Pitcher, 32 of Hartville, was arrested shortly after 5 a.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2023 by Patrolman Charlie Brown with the Cabool Police Department
According to the probable cause statement, Patrolman Brown was sent to the Casey’s General Store East on January 3, 2023 to investigate a possible hidden camera in the women’s bathroom. A female manager assisted the patrolman search the bathroom and recovered a small round camera and charging block hidden in the ceiling near the vent. Upon recovering the evidence, a SD card was recovered from the camera and sent for forensic analysis.
According to the PC statement, the device had 154 videos of people using the restroom and a video that identified Patrick Pitcher adjusting the camera angle for a wider view. Videos included multiple minor children and adults exposed from the waist down in some manner.
On January 12, Patrolman Brown located Pitcher at the store and placed him under arrest. When questioned about the videos, Pitcher stated he wanted them for “personal use” and didn’t realize that children would be captured on video.
Pitcher consented to a search of his vehicle where a bottle of Oxycodone not prescribed to Pitcher and a pistol were recovered.
Pitcher is charged Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Child, Possession of Child Pornography – more than 20 pictures/one film/videotape, Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Use of a Weapon – Subsection 11, and Invasion of Privacy – victim less than 18 years of age. He is being held in the Texas County Jail with bond of $750,000.
This is a developing story and remains under investigation by the Cabool Police Department. Anyone with information or who may have been at the Casey’s Store (East) and used the ladies restroom on January 3, 2023 is asked to call the Cabool Police Department at (417) 962-3993.
Information about this case was initially given to Ozark Radio News from a concerned citizen via our Facebook Page.
