Show-Me State Times

A St. Louis man has pleaded not guilty to charges related to child sex crimes. Harold Paul White, 54, was indicted by a grand jury in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis on November 20. He faces one count of production of child pornography and one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

The indictment alleges that White coerced a minor into sexually explicit conduct to produce visual depictions on August 25, 2023, and traveled from Michigan to Missouri for illicit sexual activities.

During a court detention hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Klocke stated that White met the 12-year-old victim online, traveled to Michigan for sexual activity with her, and returned with her to Missouri where he made recordings and shared them with other minors.

It is important to note that charges are accusations and do not imply guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The charge for producing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and can extend up to 30 years. The charge of traveling with intent carries a potential sentence of up to 30 years.

The case was investigated by the Detroit Police Department, the FBI, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Edwards is handling prosecution.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local resources.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.