HSI, local law enforcement partner investigation leads to Missouri man’s indictment for child exploitation

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, commonly called HSI, and local law enforcement has resulted in the indictment of an Ava, Missouri man who allegedly produced child pornography. Investigators discovered that photos of the child victim’s sexual assault were hidden behind a wall of the man’s former residence while it was being torn down.

A federal grand jury indicted Harold Lloyd Blair Jr., 66, in Springfield on Dec. 6, with one count of using a minor to produce child pornography. The indictment alleges that Blair used the child to produce pornography from Jan. 1, 2012, to Dec. 31, 2013.

The investigation began Dec. 2, when Douglas County, Missouri workers discovered a filing cabinet containing child pornography in a house they were tearing down. After tearing into a wall with heavy equipment, workers discovered the cabinet and contacted the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators learned that Blair had sold the house to the county.

The Douglas County prosecutor’s office originally filed state charges against Blair but will dismiss them in light of the federal indictment.

Charges in an indictment are accusations and not evidence of guilt. Prosecutors must provide evidence supporting the charge to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by HSI, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department; the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force; and the West Plains, Missouri Police Department with assistance from the Douglas County prosecuting attorney.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States attorneys' offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab.

Homeland Security Investigations

HSI is a directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 6,800 special agents assigned to 225 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

Learn more about HSI’s mission to combat child exploitation in your community on Twitter @HSIKansasCity.