March 27th, 2026 Local News
Bismarck, Mo. (KFMO) - A 62-year-old Bismarck man is facing felony charges in St. Francois County after an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
According to an online arrest report, William J. Hackworth, of Bismarck, was arrested March 24, 2026 at approximately 3:50 p.m. in St. Francois County. He is charged with second-degree sexual trafficking of a child and enticement or attempted enticement of a child.
A probable cause statement says the case began in May 2025, when the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in California launched an investigation after the mother of a 14-year-old girl reportedly found sexually explicit messages on the child’s phone.
Authorities say Riverside County detectives identified Hackworth, who lives in St. Francois County, as the focus of the investigation. In March 2026, the case was referred to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Investigators allege Hackworth and the juvenile began communicating by text message in March 2025, and the conversations continued into May 2025. According to court documents, the juvenile reportedly told Hackworth she was 14 years old and from California, while Hackworth allegedly stated he was an adult from Missouri.
The probable cause statement alleges Hackworth sent the juvenile explicit images and videos during those exchanges. Investigators also allege he attempted to persuade the child to produce and send sexually explicit material.
According to the affidavit, authorities served a residential search warrant at Hackworth’s home in St. Francois County on March 24, 2026. During the investigation, officers reportedly recovered conversations involving the juvenile from Hackworth’s cell phone.
Court documents further allege Hackworth admitted to communicating with children online and sending pornographic material over the internet.
Hackworth is being held on a $200,000 cash or surety bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, April 2, 2026.