Show-Me State Times

A Callaway County man has been indicted on nine counts of attempted production of child pornography, according to federal authorities. David Lee Maddox, 59, was charged by indictment on August 5, 2025. The charges were made public after his arrest and first court appearance.

The investigation began in August 2023 when Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in St. Louis received a referral from HSI Portland, Maine. Authorities allege that Maddox communicated through Microsoft Skype with individuals known to traffic and sell live and recorded child sexual abuse videos from the Philippines. Investigators say Maddox used Skype to receive “shows” involving minor victims in the Philippines and paid for these shows using money transmittal services. Between September 20, 2021, and December 23, 2023, he allegedly received such shows depicting underage females about twenty times.

Officials emphasized that the charges are accusations at this stage: "The charges contained in the indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence."

If convicted under federal statutes, Maddox could face up to thirty years in prison for each count without parole. Sentencing will be determined by the court following a presentence investigation conducted by the United States Probation Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Turner is prosecuting the case. The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Holts Summit Police Department, and Missouri State Technical Assistance Team (STAT).

This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies to apprehend offenders and protect victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc .