Licking Man Indicted for Child Sexual Exploitation

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Licking, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for the sexual exploitation of a minor as well as illegally possessing methamphetamine and firearms.

John P. Weaver, 42, was charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo.

Today's indictment charges Weaver with one count of using a minor victim to produce child pornography from Jan. 22 to Feb. 5, 2024, and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.

Weaver is also charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Weaver allegedly was in possession of methamphetamine and two Hi-Point pistols on Feb. 29, 2024.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Weaver has two prior convictions for possessing a controlled substance as well as prior felony convictions for stealing a motor vehicle, burglary, stealing, and resisting arrest by creating a substantial risk of serious injury or death to any person.

The charges contained in this 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.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the Pulaski County, Mo., Sheriff's Office, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and the Texas County, Mo., Sheriff's Office.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."