The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

PUTNAM COUNTY, MO. -- A Heartland man, who was charged with one sex related felony charge, now has another 19 charges filed against him.

Kenneth Shumate, 32, of Unionville, Mo. is now facing 20 felony charges.

Shumate is charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, two counts of second degree statutory sodomy, one count of sexual abuse, eight counts of first degree statutory sodomy and six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor child.

The investigation that lead to the charges was a joint effort of the Kirksville Regional Computer Crimes Unit and the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

According to court papers, the victims allegedly abused at the Shumate residence were ages 13 and 14. Numerous pictures of child pornography allegedly found on Shumate's computer included victims as young as five years of age.

The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office has been named as special prosecutor in the case. Charges are pending against a second suspect in the case.

Kenneth Shumate is being held in the Daviess/Dekalb County Regional Jail under $1 million cash-only bond.


Previous story...

Pictures on computer land man behind bars  -  Tuesday, October 16, 2012 
KPD computer lab investigation ends in arrest