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Feb. 4, 2025Savannah, Mo. |  By: Jeremy Werner

Area man arrested after child exploitation investigation

jail cell

SAVANNAH, Mo. - Authorities have arrested a man following an investigation into child exploitation allegations.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 32-year-old Ross Rutherford was identified in September 2024 as the owner of a social media account tied to inappropriate communications with a 13-year-old.

Investigators say Rutherford engaged in explicit conversations and sent illicit images and videos to the juvenile through a messaging app.

On January 29, authorities located Rutherford in Maryville, where he was questioned and taken into custody. The next day, the Andrew County Prosecuting Attorney charged him with second-degree sexual trafficking of a child.

He is being held without bond at the Andrew County Jail. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was assisted in the investigation by the Maryville Department of Public Safety and the Jackson Police Department.