PRESS RELEASE

KC Husband, Wife Indicted for Sexual Exploitation of Three Child Victims

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., couple has indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to the sexual exploitation of three child victims.

Houston Wade Young, 36, and Jessica Ann Young, 33, were charged in an eight-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The superseding indictment replaces the original indictment returned against Houston Young on July 25, 2023, and adds Jessica Young (who was arrested today) as a defendant with additional charges.

The federal indictment charges Houston Young with one count of using a minor (identified in court documents as Jane Doe) to produce child pornography, two counts of using the internet and a cell phone to attempt to induce Jane Doe and another minor (identified in court documents as John Doe 1) to engage in illegal sexual activity, one count of receiving and distributing child pornography, and one count of distributing child pornography.

The indictment charges Jessica Young with two counts of using a minor, John Doe 1, and another child victim identified in court documents as John Doe 2 to produce child pornography, and one count of receiving and distributing child pornography.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI, the Vernon County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Kentucky Department of Criminal Investigations.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

Updated November 15, 2023