Jefferson City man caught in sting operation

Law enforcement in Boone have arrested a Jefferson City man in a sting operation.

On Thursday, Jeremy Bappert, 29, was arrested on several charges including attempted statutory rape and the possession of child pornography.

The investigation against Bappert started in early July when the Cyber Crimes Task Force in Boone County received information that Bappert was allegedly offering money to have sexual contact with a young child.

An undercover officer then posed as a mother of a child and the suspect negotiated a payment for sexual services. When Bappert arrived at the meeting site, he was met by law enforcement and arrested.

Detectives also seized a cell phone from Bappert. The phone is alleged to have more than 20 photos of child pornography on it. Some of the photos include children believed to be as young as toddlers.

Bappert was charged with promoting and possession of child pornography, attempted statutory sodomy, attempted statutory rape and patronizing prostitution.

His bond was set at $250,000 and he remains in the Boone County Jail as of Thursday afternoon.