Jefferson City couple faces more federal charges in child porn case

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City couple accused of making and sending child pornography now faces more charges in federal court following a new indictment.

A federal grand jury indicted Paul and Sara Schofield with new charges involving child pornography.

Paul is charged with conspiracy to produce child porn, production of child porn, advertising child porn, receipt of child porn, distribution of child porn and transportation of child porn. Sarah is charged with conspiracy to produce child porn, production of child porn and transfer of obscene material.

The couple was also charged in separate criminal complaints in July with using a minor to produce child pornography.

According to the July press release, an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaints, Kik, an online social media platform, notified the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on April 25, 2022, of possible child porn being shared from accounts allegedly connected to Paul Schofield.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the Schofield’s residence on June 7. A forensic examiner conducted a preview of Paul Schofield’s cell phone and located several videos of child pornography, including infants engaged in sexual contact with adults. Examiners later found videos on the phone of both Paul and Sara Schofield sexually assaulting an unconscious 4-year-old victim.

The couple faces a minimum of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years and not more than a $250,000 fine if found guilty.

The case was moved from state to federal court last month.