St. George mayor resigns after recent accusations of possessing drugs, child porn.05:58 PM CDT Friday October 26, 2007 (KMOV) - The mayor of St. George resigns after he's arrested as part of a multi-state child pornography investigation. Investigators say they caught Harold Goodman in the world wide web. St. Louis County Police admit Goodman was not their intended target as they tracked child porn predators on-line across the country. Another suspect was arrested for possessing child pornography early in the investigation, and as files were tracked from that suspect's computer investigators say they stumbled across mayor Goodman in St. George, Missouri three months ago. Earlier this week investigators seized computer and electronic equipment from Goodman's apartment. Investigators cannot comment on how many images Goodman may have on his computer. Capt. Tom Jackson says there is nothing to suggest Goodman was a predator before. Authorities are hoping to have all the evidence from the computer within a month. They must have all the evidence to take to prosecutors before they can file formal charges. That is why he has only been arrested on suspicion of possessing child porn. Thursday evening at a meeting at St. George’s city hall, city leaders announced their mayor was facing child pornography charges. Goodman, 64, was taken into custody on Thursday, but has since been released. Authorities say the discovery was made by St Louis County Police Monday during a search of his apartment in St. George. A source also says police seized Goodman’s computer. Police say they also found marijuana in his apartment, resulting in a misdemeanor charge. Goodman was unavailable for comment on the pornography allegations. Earlier Thursday, Goodman claimed he uses the marijuana for medicinal purposes, because he suffers from Crohn’s Disease. Goodman temporarily stepped down from his position Thursday, and turned his powers over to the Board of Alderman’s president. ****Previous story**** (KMOV) – News 4 has just learned that the mayor of St. George was not the original target of a child pornography sting. Sources tell News 4 that mayor Harold Goodman was caught during a national investigation that did not involve him. Investigators caught Goodman by default. Thursday evening at a meeting at St. George’s city hall, city leaders announced their mayor is facing child pornography charges. The police chief of St. George confirms the mayor Harold Goodman, who stepped down from his duties temporarily on Wednesday, was arrested and booked on suspicion of possessing child pornography. Goodman, 64, was taken into custody on Thursday, but has since been released. He is facing charges of possessing child pornography. Authorities say the discovery was made by St Louis County Police Monday during a search of his apartment in St. George. A source also says police seized Goodman’s computer. Police say they also found marijuana in his apartment, resulting in a misdemeanor charge. In a letter to the board Goodman said he hopes to return to his duties as soon as possible. Goodman was unavailable for comment on the pornography allegations. Earlier Thursday, Goodman claimed he uses the marijuana for medicinal purposes, because he suffers from Crohn’s Disease. Goodman temporarily stepped down from his position, and turned his powers over to the Board of Alderman’s president.
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