State troopers say an online conversation that started months ago has now landed a St. Francois County man in serious legal trouble. On March 24, troopers arrested William “Red” Hackworth, 62, accusing him of using the internet to sexually entice and traffic a minor. He is being held at the St. Francois County Jail on a $200,000 bond after prosecutors filed charges of sexual trafficking of a child and enticement of a child. Authorities say the alleged contact began last year and involved explicit photo exchanges and sexualized conversations.
What investigators say
According to court documents, Hackworth began communicating online in April 2025 with someone he believed was a 14-year-old. Investigators say those conversations quickly turned sexually explicit, with Hackworth sending nude photos and urging the minor to create and send explicit material.
The records allege Hackworth told the juvenile he was 55 years old and added, “Sorry if that’s a problem.” Documents further state he admitted to knowingly communicating with children and receiving sexual abuse material. As reported by First Alert 4, the investigation began after authorities in Riverside, California, alerted Missouri troopers following a parent’s complaint.
State probe and law enforcement
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control handled the arrest after being notified of the case. The division routinely takes on online child-exploitation investigations at the request of local or out-of-state agencies, stepping in to help track digital evidence and coordinate across jurisdictions.
The DDCC urges anyone who encounters unwanted or sexualized communications with minors online to contact law enforcement so investigators can preserve messages, images and other digital traces before they disappear. For more on the Patrol’s role and public guidance, see a Missouri State Highway Patrol news release: Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Charges and penalties
Prosecutors have filed felony counts that carry potentially lengthy prison terms under Missouri law. Enticement of a child is a felony punishable by five to 30 years in prison under Missouri Revised Statutes §566.151. Sexual trafficking of a child can bring far harsher consequences, including life imprisonment for first-degree trafficking in certain circumstances under Section 566.210.
How to report
Authorities say anyone who suspects a child has been contacted inappropriately online should notify local police or file a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline. Reports and tips can be submitted at missingkids.org/gethelpnow/cybertipline or by calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Officials advise preserving messages, screenshots and other communications, and reporting concerns quickly so investigators have the best chance of collecting digital evidence.
