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| SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Licking, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for the sexual exploitation of a minor as well as illegally possessing methamphetamine and firearms.
John P. Weaver, 42, was charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. Today’s indictment charges Weaver with one count of using a minor victim to produce child pornography from Jan. 22 to Feb. 5, 2024, and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.
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 Weaver is also charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Weaver allegedly was in possession of methamphetamine and two Hi-Point pistols on Feb. 29, 2024. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Weaver has two prior convictions for possessing a controlled substance as well as prior felony convictions for stealing a motor vehicle, burglary, stealing, and resisting arrest by creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person. The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the Pulaski County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and the Texas County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office. |
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