Jefferson City man pleads guilty to federal child porn charge

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man has pleaded guilty in federal court to producing child pornography.

Plea information was filed on Tuesday, but William Ballard agreed to plea guilty on Nov. 15, according to court documents. Court documents say Ballard and the prosecution agreed to a 15-year sentence, though a sentencing date has not been scheduled. Ballard is being held at the Cole County Jail.

According to court documents, Ballard’s wife found a video on his phone that included himself and a child. The woman brought the evidence to the Jefferson City Police Department on June 11, 2023, court documents say.

Ballard allegedly denied having the video, but admitted to recording the video after she showed it to him, court documents say. Police arrested Ballard at his home and he admitted to being in the video, court documents say.