Computer search warrant leads to discovery of drugs

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The execution of a search warrant Tuesday morning at a Poplar Bluff residence led local officers to seize more than the computer-related items they were expecting, the Daily American Republic reported.

"This started out as a computer crime," explained Scott Phelps, an investigator with the SEMO Cyber Crimes Task Force. "The suspect in this residence (at 1002 Clyde) created a fictitious MySpace page using the identity of a 12-year-old girl.

"They used her picture. They also posted some quotes on there saying some sexually explicit things."

A girl living at the residence and "the victim" were friends, Phelps said. "Apparently during one of their teenage spats, they did this to her.

"(The girls) are friends again, but the victim's mother didn't think it was funny."

Phelps, along with officers with the Poplar Bluff Police Department, served a search warrant looking for computer-related items.

"During the search, we located what appeared to be a felony amount of marijuana and a plastic baggie containing an unknown white substance."

The suspected marijuana was found in the homeowner's bedroom, while the white substance was found in the southeast corner bedroom, Phelps said.

The homeowner, Jeffery Daune Boyer, 31, was arrested on suspicion of possession of more than 35 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a firearm.

"Lt. (David) Sutton found a .32-caliber handgun, and he's a convicted felon," Phelps said. "The handgun was found in a dresser drawer in the homeowner's bedroom."

Phelps said the computer was seized from the home and will be taken back to the task force's office for forensic examination.

An adult female is expected to be charged in connection with the fictitious MySpace page, Phelps said.

The new cyber bullying law, according to Chief Danny Whiteley, makes it a felony, depending on the age of the victim and suspect, to harass someone through the use of electronic media, "texting, Internet and so forth."

"As with modern technology, the Cyber Crimes Task Force is on top of things and very vigilant in locating the perpetrators for these types of crimes, in particular when it involves children," said Whiteley.

Officers, he said, also will be submitting their reports to federal authorities for possible federal prosecution of Boyer as a felon in possession of a firearm.

Anyone wanting to report cyber bullying or any suspected computer-related crimes may do so by calling the task force's office at 573-686-8034.