Missouri man pleads guilty following overseas child porn sting

ST. LOUIS – A Kirksville, Missouri, man appeared in federal court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to a child pornography charge after being caught in an international sting operation.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Corey A. Wadel, 36, was busted after sending explicit images and videos of himself to an undercover officer in the United Kingdom posing as a 12-year-old girl.

Wadel admitted to taking pictures of himself exposing his genitals to two young children, exchanging child sex abuse material (CSAM) online, and keeping more than 600 images of the illicit material in his possession.

Wadel pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.

As part of a plea agreement, both the prosecution and defense agreed to recommend a 12-year prison term. Wadel will be sentenced in July.

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