South Central Missouri Computer Crime Task Force

Thank you to Rolla Public School District for hosting this event. We truly appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with RPS and share valuable information with the community. Please contact South Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force at Phelps County Sheriff Department if you would like to host a presentation like this one.

Press Release:

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Raymond Cody Scott, age 34, of St James, Missouri was arrested in the 500 block East James Blvd. St James, Missouri for Possession of Child Po*******hy. Scott was incarcerated at the Phelps County Jail pending warrants.

Wednesday, March 11, 2026, eight counts of Promoting Child Po*******hy 1st Degree (Class B Felony) and seven counts of Possession of Child Po*******hy (Class B Felony) were filed by the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. A warrant was issued for Scott’s arrest. Bond was ordered, $500,000 cash/surety with special conditions. Currently, Scott remains incarcerated at time of this press release.

The investigation of Raymond Cody Scott was initiated as result of thirteen (13) Cyber Tipline Reports by various electronic service providers, whereas suspected child po*******hy was either uploaded, distributed, and/or stored. During the investigation, search warrants were served to several electronic service providers for the user and content of each account. The result of those searches was evidence of possession of child po*******hy; no less than five hundred files were located.

A search warrant was authorized by the 25th Judicial Circuit Associate Court for Scott’s residence and electronic storage devices for evidence of possession of child po*******hy. On March 10, 2026, Scott was located and attempted to be interviewed pertaining possession of child po*******hy. Scott stated he expected law enforcement to find him and speak with him about “minors” from the internet, and then immediately invoked his Constitutional Rights. According to Scott, the suspected devices utilized for the accounts had been stolen by an identified friend. Later, that friend was located and denied any knowledge of the theft or property.

Assisting the South-Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force was Phelps County Sheriff's Department and St James Police Department. The successful collaboration of multiple agencies demonstrates the power of teamwork, innovation, and shared expertise in combating internet crimes against children.

The charges which Scott has been arrested are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before the court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

If you have additional information about this case please call South Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force, (573) 426-3860. You can also call the Phelps County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) confidential tip line at (573) 426-2936, or submit a tip on the PCSD app, which can be located and downloaded for free from Play Store or App Store.

Press Release:

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Edward Lee Lane, age 59, of Salem, Missouri was arrested in the 800 block East Ellis Street Salem, Missouri for Possession of Child Po*******hy and Failure to Register As A S*x Offender. Lane was incarcerated at the Dent County Jail pending warrants.

Wednesday, March 4, 2026, twenty (20) counts of Possession of Child Po*******hy (Class B Felony) and four counts of Failure to Register As A S*x Offender were filed by the Dent County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. A warrant was issued for Lane’s arrest. No bond was ordered. Currently, Lane remains incarcerated at time of this press release.

The investigation of Edward Lee Lane was initiated as result of a Cyber Tipline Report by an electronic service provider, whereas suspected child po*******hy was uploaded and stored. During the investigation, information was developed that Lane is a convicted s*x offender, and currently on parole with Missouri Department Of Corrections for the offense Fail to Register As A S*x Offender.

A search warrant was authorized by the 42nd Judicial Circuit Associate Court for Lane’s residence and electronic storage devices for evidence of possession of child po*******hy. On March 3, 2026, Lane was interviewed whereas he admitted to ownership of the social media account and personal electronic devices. Additionally, he was aware the presence of child po*******hy on his devices, but denied knowledge how they were derived on the devices. Subsequently, a search of Lane’s personal cellular device revealed Lane was in possession of child po*******hy at the time. Additionally, several online identifiers, which are required by RSMo § 589.414, to be registered as a s*x offender were present on the device.

Assisting the South-Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force were Phelps County Sheriff's Department, Dent County Sheriff's Office, and Salem Police Department. The successful collaboration of multiple agencies demonstrates the power of teamwork, innovation, and shared expertise in combating internet crimes against children.

The charges which Lane has been arrested are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before the court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

If you have additional information about this case please call South Central Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force, (573) 426-3860. You can also call the Phelps County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) confidential tip line at (573) 426-2936, or submit a tip on the PCSD app, which can be located and downloaded for free from Play Store or App Store.

Thank you Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney Taylor Banholzer for you and your office hard work and dedication to bring this to a final disposition.

SHANE MULLINS TO SERVE THREE CONSECUTIVE LIFE SENTENCES

On Tuesday, January 23, 2026, Shane Mullins, 31, of Cuba, was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences in the Missouri Department of Corrections after previously pleading guilty to two counts of statutory so**my in the first degree and one count of statutory r**e in the first degree. The Honorable John D. Beger presided over the plea. Mullins previously pled guilty pursuant to Section 566.125, RSMo, declaring him a predatory s*xual offender.
Mullins was arrested in June of 2024, after investigation by Phelps County Sheriff’s Detectives, ICAC, and Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department.

“It was extremely important to both the Prosecutor’s Office and the detectives on the case that Mr. Mullins spend the rest of his life in prison so that he cannot have the chance to prey on another child” said Phelps County Prosecutor Banholzer, who prosecuted the case. “This is an important conviction for ensuring the safety of our young people.”

At the sentencing hearing in January, Judge Beger set Mr. Mullins’ minimum parole eligibility date for 35 years from the date of the hearing. Mullins will be 66 years old when he becomes parole eligible.