Press Release

In Mid-July Miller County Sheriff's Detective's began to investigate Richard Thurman, 74 of Brumley for possession of child pornography. The investigation was the result of a cyber tip received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Miller County Detectives assigned to the Lake Area Cyber Crimes Task force (an affiliate of Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children) responded to Thurman's residence and seized multiple computers suspected of containing child pornography. The seized computers were sent to the Missouri Digital Forensic Center in Jefferson City to be examined.

On August 30th  a report was received from the Digital Forensic Center that confirmed the seized computers contained over 140 images of confirmed child pornography and over 700 child exploitation images.

Thurman was taken into custody on 09/01/2022 and has been charged with possession of child pornography and is currently being held in the Miller County Jail, in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

I am grateful for the hard work by my Detectives in removing this child predator from the Miller County Community. I am also thankful for the great working relationship our agency has with the Lake Area Cyber Crimes Task Force, Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

If you suspect someone of sexually abusing or exploiting children, you are urged to contact local law enforcement and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 24-hour hotline at 1-800-843-5678.