A Texas County man pleaded guilty Sept. 14 in federal court to sexual exploitation of a minor, drug trafficking and firearms charges.
John P. Weaver, 44, of Licking, admitted to using a minor to produce child pornography and receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography materials between January and February 2024.
Weaver also pleaded guilty to possessing over 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of firearms, stemming from a Feb. 29, 2024, incident involving two Hi-Point pistols.
Weaver entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Megan Blair Benton in Springfield.
He faces 15 to 30 years in federal prison without parole for the child exploitation charge, plus mandatory consecutive sentences of at least 10 years for drug distribution and five years for the firearm offense.
The case was investigated by the FBI, ATF, Springfield Police and the Texas and Pulaski county sheriff’s offices.
