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United States of America v. Donald Carl Held
Date: 07-24-2025
Case Number:
Judge:
Court: The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for St. Louis
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Saint Louis, Missouri Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory
Description:
Warren County Man Admits Sharing Child Sexual Abuse Material
A man from Warren County, Missouri on Thursday admitted sharing child sexual abuse material online.
Donald Carl Held, 50, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. He admitted sharing photos with an undercover investigator with Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) that Held claimed depicted a 15-year-old girl. He also claimed he was engaged in sexual activity with the teen. A joint HSI - St. Charles County Police Department investigation resulted in a court-approved search of Held's home on March 4, 2024, that recovered electronic devices containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Held told investigators that he shared CSAM almost every day with others online via a messaging app, Teleguard. He said he lied about the teen.
Held's cellphone contained 1,077 images and videos with CSAM. His Teleguard and Telegram accounts contained "extensive†communications between Held and others during which they shared and promoted CSAM. Held also advised others on how to avoid law enforcement detection.
Saint Louis, Missouri criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Sharing Child Sexual Abuse Material
Warren County Man Admits Sharing Child Sexual Abuse Material
A man from Warren County, Missouri on Thursday admitted sharing child sexual abuse material online.
Donald Carl Held, 50, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. He admitted sharing photos with an undercover investigator with Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) that Held claimed depicted a 15-year-old girl. He also claimed he was engaged in sexual activity with the teen. A joint HSI - St. Charles County Police Department investigation resulted in a court-approved search of Held's home on March 4, 2024, that recovered electronic devices containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Held told investigators that he shared CSAM almost every day with others online via a messaging app, Teleguard. He said he lied about the teen.
Held's cellphone contained 1,077 images and videos with CSAM. His Teleguard and Telegram accounts contained "extensive†communications between Held and others during which they shared and promoted CSAM. Held also advised others on how to avoid law enforcement detection.
Outcome:
Held is scheduled to be sentenced on October 27. Each charge carries a potential prison sentence of up 20 years.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Donald Carl Held?
The outcome was: Held is scheduled to be sentenced on October 27. Each charge carries a potential prison sentence of up 20 years.
Which court heard United States of America v. Donald Carl Held?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, MO.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Donald Carl Held?
Plaintiff's attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for St. Louis. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Saint Louis, Missouri Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Donald Carl Held decided?
This case was decided on July 24, 2025.