Eric Ryan Parks, 20, of Festus has been charged in St. Charles County with one felony and two misdemeanors for allegedly sending pornographic photos and messages to a 15-year-old boy, authorities reported.
Parks was working as a volunteer for the St. Louis County Police Explorer program when he met the alleged victim, so police in Jefferson and St. Louis counties are investigating whether there are more victims, the probable-cause statement in the case said.
Parks joined the Explorer program as a volunteer in January 2017, but Parks is no longer part of the program. However, Parks was at Oakville High School on Feb. 21, Afton High School on Feb. 21, Mehlville High School on Feb. 27 and Lindbergh High School on March 1, St. Louis County Police media relations officer Benjamin Granda said
He also said Parks is not a police officer and was not employed by the St. Louis County Police Department.
St. Charles Police were called to the victim’s home on March 2 after the victim reported that Parks had sent him inappropriate Snapchat messages and photos. The victim said he had given Parks his name, age and phone number after meeting him at a Police Explorer recruitment event at Lindbergh High School, the probable-cause statement said.
The St. Louis County Police Explorer program is designed to provide young adults ages 14 to 21 with the chance to explore careers in public safety. Members of the St. Louis County Police Explorers program are allowed to ride along with officers on patrol and help with events, like DARE, child safety and child fingerprinting programs. They also can help direct traffic and perform various administrative duties at neighborhood precincts.
After the recruiting event at Lindbergh High, Parks allegedly began sending the victim sexually graphic messages and photos using Snapchat, a social media and messaging app, the report said.
“At the time of the offense, Parks was a ‘sergeant’ through the St. Louis County Police Explorers Post 9222 and had frequent contact with juveniles. Parks’ actions and conduct made the victim feel alarmed and concerned for the safety of himself and other juveniles Parks may have access to,” the probable-cause statement said.
Parks was arrested March 5, and he allegedly admitted to knowing the victim’s age and sending inappropriate photos and messages to him, the report said.
On March 6, Parks was charged in St. Charles County with attempting or promoting a sexual performance by a child, a class D felony punishable by up to seven years in prison; furnishing pornographic material to a minor, a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000; and first-degree sexual misconduct, a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000, according to court documents.
Parks’ was being held March 8 in the St. Charles County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
A judge ordered that Parks have no contact with anyone younger than 17 and ordered Parks to stay off the internet and Snapchat, court records said.