Traffic Stop in Harrison County Leads to Recovery of Juvenile, Child Pornography Arrest

HARRISON COUNTY, MO – A traffic stop in Harrison County on Tuesday led to the recovery of a child and several felony charges for the driver.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the trooper initiated the stop on I-35 due to the vehicle’s speed. Upon contacting the driver, identified as 21-year old Angel Hernandez of Kansas City, Kansas, the officer noticed a strong odor of marijuana.

A female juvenile was with Hernandez in the vehicle. He identified her to officers as his girlfriend. Officers say they later discovered that the juvenile had been with Hernandez since the second week of September without her parent’s knowledge of her whereabouts. The affidavit alleges Hernandez admitted to having photographs and videos of the juvenile on his phone of a sexual nature.

Hernandez is charged with possession of child pornography, endangering the welfare of a child, harassment, possession of drug paraphernalia and traffic charges. The officer’s report also indicates he has outstanding warrants from Platte County, Missouri.

Bond is set at $250,000.  The juvenile was released to her mother.