St. Charles County police on Friday announced a raft of charges against a St. Charles couple after a child exploitation investigation led detectives to search mobile home residences and seize digital evidence. Investigators identified 36-year-old Joshua R. Sinkler and 31-year-old Amber S. Sinkler as suspects, saying both now face multiple sex-crime and child-pornography counts. The county Cyber Crime Task Force is leading what officials describe as an active, ongoing probe, working alongside the prosecuting attorney’s office and local victim-support partners as the case develops.
According to a news release posted by the St. Charles County Police Department on Facebook, the charges listed against the two include statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy, first-degree statutory rape, first-degree child molestation, sexual exploitation of a minor, incest, possession of child pornography and endangering the welfare of a child. The release also notes that investigators executed search warrants at two residential locations tied to the suspects and that one of the suspects "frequented the rear parking lot of the Marcus St. Charles Cinema," according to the St. Charles County Police Department.
Cyber Crime Unit and How the Probe Works
Public information from the county explains that the St. Charles County Cyber Crime Task Force hosts the Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children effort and handles hundreds of cyber tips and investigations each year, giving detectives tools to sift through digital evidence and chase leads. As outlined by St. Charles County Government, that capability is often used when cases involve online material or stored images that need forensic analysis. County officials say blending digital forensics with more traditional investigative work is central to how these kinds of cases move forward.
The county's Facebook release names Detective Anthony Altman as a member of the Cyber Crime Task Force and lists him as the departmental contact for tips in this investigation. The same release notes that the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of St. Charles County is associated with the case and that prosecutors will review the evidence as detectives continue to search for any additional victims, according to the St. Charles County Police Department.
Charges and What Comes Next
The offenses catalogued by investigators are alleged felony-level crimes under state law and, if pursued, will be prosecuted in the county court system by the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney's office. Because the investigation is still underway, officials say they are withholding additional identifying details to protect possible victims and the integrity of the inquiry, per St. Charles County Government. Formal filings and court dates had not been posted publicly at the time of the announcement.
Victim Services and How to Help
The county's post indicates the Child Advocacy Center of Northeast Missouri is involved in the response. According to its organizational profile, the center provides forensic interviews, therapy and advocacy for children and families in the region. The release again lists Detective Altman as the investigative contact and urges anyone with information about potential additional victims to reach out to law enforcement.
Anyone with information, or anyone who believes they may be a victim, is asked to contact the St. Charles County Police Department's Cyber Crime Task Force or Detective Anthony Altman. Investigators say they will follow up on tips as the active investigation continues and are asking the community to come forward with any relevant information.
