David S. Arabie

MILLER COUNTY, Mo. — An Eldon man — already a convicted sex offender for sex crimes against children — is facing a felony charge for possession of child pornography.

Authorities say they found 21 photos depicting child pornography on a computer belonging to 57-year-old David S. Arabie, at Arabie's home on Highway MM.

The photos were allegedly found on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, when investigators executed a search warrant at Arabie's residence. As a result of the search, investigators say they seized child pornography and electronic devices. Arabie was arrested for possession of child pornography and transported to the Miller County Jail. The Miller County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged Arabie with one count of Class B Felony Possession of Child Pornography - More Than 20 Photos. Arabie is being held at the Miller County Jail with a bond of $500,000.

In the probable cause document for Arabie's arrest, the investigator wrote:

"This investigation is just beginning and involves the defendant, who is a registered sex offender for a 1991 conviction in Miller County, Missouri, for Sodomy involving a 6-year-old child, and a 2007 conviction for Criminal Sexual Conduct 2nd degree (person under 13) in Michigan involving an 11-year-old child. The defendant also shows a 2018 conviction for a Sex Offender present/loiter within 500 feet of a park with playground/pool/museum present. He also shows an outstanding traffic warrant from Union, Missouri for failure to appear on a traffic offense. This case also involves the defendant transporting his electronic devices from Miller County to other parts of the State of Missouri, and using it to download and view child pornography, as well as using programs to delete and hide his criminal child pornography activity."

The arrest and charge comes on the heels of another charge for possession of child pornography: 52-year-old Daniel James Ault was arrested last week and charged on April 27, 2023 with Possession of Child Pornography and Failure To Register As A Sex Offender. Ault was found dead in his jail cell the next day of a presumed suicide. The Miller County Sheriff's Office requested the Missouri State Highway Patrol handle the investigation of Ault's death.

The Division of Drug and Crime Control encourages internet users to promptly report to the Patrol or local law enforcement anyone who attempts to engage in unwanted, inappropriate, or sexualized communications with children. The Digital Forensics Investigative Unit is partially funded through grants provided by the Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) State Cyber Crime Grant (SCCG) and Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC).

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