October 7th, 2026 Local News
Park Hills, Mo. (KFMO) - A 32-year-old Park Hills man is facing charges following an investigation into alleged online sexual exploitation of children.
According to a probable-cause statement filed in St. Francois County, Walter W. Salts is accused of using online platforms to communicate with minors and possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. Investigators say the case began with two CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
One CyberTip involved the online messaging service Kik. Investigators say a user associated with Salts uploaded suspected child sexual abuse material during an online conversation in June. Investigators traced information provided by Kik, including an IP address, email address and username, to Salts.
A second CyberTip came from Instagram and involved an online conversation between Salts and a 17-year-old. According to the probable-cause statement, Salts learned the person's age and continued the sexually charged conversation, including asking the teenager to send a full-body picture.
Investigators say Salts acknowledged during the execution of a search warrant that the online accounts identified in the CyberTips belonged to him. He also allegedly admitted to the Kik conversation and the Instagram conversation.
During the search of Salts' cell phone, investigators say the Kik application was found on the device and additional files identified as child sexual abuse material were located on the phone.
The probable-cause statement says investigators identified multiple videos involving children and determined they constituted child sexual abuse material.
Salts was initially arrested September 10. A warrant was issued and served Friday, September 11.
He is now charged with Sexual Trafficking of a Child - Second Degree - Under 18 Years of Age; Promoting Child Pornography - First Degree; and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material - Second Degree/Subsequent Offense or Possession of More Than 20 Pictures/One Film or Videotape, three counts.
Salts is being held without bond.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, at 8:30 a.m.