JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — A former Joplin police officer has admitted distributing child pornography.
Forty-three-year-old Gary McKinney pleaded guilty Monday to receiving and distributing child pornography.
Gary McKinney photo Jasper Co.
Gary McKinney was a police officer for seven years before leaving the force in May 2006. He also worked for the Webb City and Duquesne police departments.
The investigation began in September 2018 when a joint state and federal task force received a tip about a Facebook user uploading a video of the sexual assault of a 4-year-old girl.
Federal prosecutors say that person was 31-year-old Anthony Helsel, of Joplin, who is charged with sexual exploitation of children.
That investigation led to McKinney. A search of McKinney's home found about 650 images and videos of child pornography.