5 Additional Child Pornography Charges Filed Against Bourbon Man

A Bourbon man already facing multiple felony charges connected to an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation has been charged with five additional counts of possession of child pornography.

Daniel R. Whatley, 45, was charged Sept. 16  with five counts of possession of child pornography. . 

Each charge carries a potential sentence of five to 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections if convicted. 

The new case follows charges filed earlier this month against Whatley after authorities searched his Highway C residence Aug. 30. Whatley had previously been charged with 10 felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, along with separate drug, firearm and drug paraphernalia charges. 

He was being held in the Crawford County Jail without bond following his arrest.

According to the latest probable cause statement, the investigation was initiated by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force  The SouthCentral Missouri Computer Crimes Task Force and Crawford County Sheriff’s Office then began a joint investigation. 

Investigators allege a forensic examination of Whatley’s cellphone uncovered at least 80 files containing child sexual abuse material. 

The five newly filed charges are based on five videos investigators identified during that examination. The probable cause statement said forensic work was continuing when the document was prepared. 

Investigators alleged much of the material found on his phone had been obtained through social media sources that shared his sexual interests.