Bethany Resident Charged with Sex Trafficking of a Child

BETHANY, MO – Harrison County authorities have charged a Bethany resident with two felonies, alleging he attempted to contact a minor child and arranged for her to move to Missouri.

A probable cause affidavit issued by the Bethany Police Department says officers responded on Sunday to a report that 63-year-old Rodney Jackson had been communicating online with individuals purporting themselves a 15-year-old girl. The individuals identified themselves to be from Oil City Predator Investigations from Oil City, Pennsylvania. Oil City Predator Investigations is comprised of private citizens who attempt to make contact with child predators. A 30-minute live video posted to social media of the encounter between Oil City Predator Investigators and Jackson has gone viral.

Bethany Police say Jackson encouraged who he thought to be a teenage girl to move to Missouri from Pennsylvania, offering to provide her with transportation and lodging.

The Harrison County Prosecuting Attorney charged Jackson Monday with Sexual Trafficking of a Child under the age of eighteen and Attempted Statutory Rape in the second degree. A warrant was issued for Jackson with bond being denied. He is set for arraignment on Wednesday.