A Missouri Man Arrested Over Child‑Safety Charges

In Benton County, a 45‑year‑old Missouri resident named Scott Minor was taken into custody at about 3:40 p. m. Friday. Police say he is suspected of helping a child online and grooming her for sexual purposes. No formal charges have been filed yet, but he is being held with a $150, 000 bond. Minor had already spent seven years in prison in Missouri. He had pleaded guilty to child endangerment for the same girl, a case that was recently concluded. The arrest in Arkansas happened after a joint investigation by the Pea Ridge Police Department and the Cole County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri. Police first heard about Minor’s contact with the girl in June. They seized her phone and laptop, uncovering many messages that showed he called her “soulmates” and told her he loved her. The records also revealed that Minor sent sexually explicit content over several months.The investigators found messages where Minor asked the girl to delete their conversations. He even wrote, “Yeah, I’d be ok with you deleting ALL them, lol. I like NOT being in prison! ” This shows he was aware of the danger his actions posed. Minor admitted that he knew the girl’s age during a conversation with Missouri authorities. The exact age is not listed in public documents. The girl was questioned at the Benton County Children’s Advocacy Center. She said she first met Minor on an app, then received his phone number and email. His next court appearance is scheduled for 8 a. m. on April 13 before Judge Brad Karren in Benton County Circuit Court.