Willow Springs Man Arrested, Charged with Enticement of a Child

Marty Kester, 34, of Willow Springs, was arrested and charged in Eminence last week after he was caught messaging a decoy he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. In reality, Kester was corresponding with a member of Truckers Against Predators and later with a Sheriff’s Deputy. 

According to a probable cause statement filed by Deputy Dustin Lyon of the Shannon County Sheriff’s Office, Truckers Against Predators contacted the Sheriff’s office on September 7 regarding a Marty “from West Plains” who had been chatting with a decoy, “Alexa” who was portrayed as a 13-year-old virgin. 

On September 8, Deputy Lyons took over the chat and began sending messages to Kester as “Alexa.”

Responding to a photo sent in the chat, Kester replied, “But your so young. It would be easy if you wad 18 or older. [sic]”

Later on in the chat, presumably believing his correspondent to be a minor, Kester continued to discuss sexual matters including sexual positions and contraceptive devices. At one point Kester assured “Alexa” she could not become pregnant from their encounter writing, “ive had a vasectomy so I cant have them unless its reversed. [sic]”

Kester arranged a meeting with the person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl at a gas station in Eminence on September 10. He arrived at approximately 1:10 p.m., messaging, “Im here [sic],” before going inside the gas station to purchase prophylactics. Deputy Lyons was waiting in the parking lot, which was across the street from the Shannon County Courthouse. 

As he left the gas station, Kester was confronted by Anthony Green of Truckers Against Predators. This encounter was captured on video and posted to the Truckers Against Predators Facebook page. In the video, Kester said he was there to meet, “a friend.”

Within minutes, Deputy Lyons approached Kester and arrested him for enticement of a child. Though Kester continued to protest he was only chatting to a friend, Deputy Lyons quickly corrected him, “You have also been talking to me.”

Kester was charged with felony enticement of a child or attempted with an adult actor over 21 and child less than 15 years of age. As of press time, Kester remains in custody at the Shannon County Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bond. He was scheduled to be arraigned before the Hon. Sandra West on September 15.