Poplar Bluff man charged with exploiting teens

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Poplar Bluff man was charged Tuesday with sexually exploiting two local teenagers by having them expose themselves so he could videotape them.

Ronald L. Vaughn, 54, of the 1000 block of Franklin Street was charged with two felonies of sexual exploitation of a minor by Butler County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Paul Oesterreicher.

After considering the complaint and probable cause affidavit filed with the court, Associate Circuit Judge John Bloodworth issued a warrant for Vaughn's arrest and set his bond at $250,000 cash or surety.

Vaughn, who is in the Butler County jail, was to appear at 9 a.m. today before Bloodworth for arraignment on the charges, which stem from an investigation by the Poplar Bluff Police Department.

At about 5 p.m. Sunday, police officers were contacted by a Poplar Bluff father, who reported his 13-year-old daughter had "inappropriate contact with the resident at 1028 Franklin," said Deputy Chief Jeff Rolland. "The officers notified the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the police department.

"Lt. (Dave) Sutton spearheaded the investigation with detectives (Bryce) Colvin and (Scott) Phelps," which revealed the identity of the resident to be Vaughn.

The alleged victims, two 13-year-old girls, told officers Vaughn "would coax them into disrobing in front of the camera," Rolland said.

The investigation, Rolland said, determined the videotaping had occurred on multiple occasions "over the course of a year."

At about 6 p.m. Sunday, Rolland said, a search warrant was executed on Vaughn's home.

Various items, such as disposable cameras, compact discs, VHS movies, a video camera and photo discs, were seized, Rolland said.

During the investigation, Rolland said, Vaughn also was interviewed shortly after midnight Monday.

Vaughn, Rolland said, admitted he videotaped the teens. His statement and the "accounts of the victims matched," he said.

"While he was videotaping the juveniles, (Vaughn reported he) coaxed them into exposing their breasts and buttocks," Rolland said.

Officers also discovered Vaughn allegedly was surreptitiously recording the victims in his home using the bathroom and while they were changing clothes, Rolland said.

"I want to commend our detective bureau for pursing this to its culmination," said Police Chief Danny Whiteley. "We take all crimes seriously and investigate them to the fullest, but when it involves a pervert exploiting children, we will not rest until we have them in custody.

"I have personally spoken to (personnel at) the prosecutor's office, expressing the concern of the police department of this person being a predator who does not need to be released to prey on any other innocent children."

Whiteley also commended the prosecutor's office for "recommending what we thought was an appropriate bond for what we thought was a horrendous crime."

Rolland said the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be sought against Vaughn.

Pertinent address:

1028 Franklin St., Poplar Bluff, MO