Bismarck man arrested at state park facing child molestation, other charges

IRON COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) – A Bismarck man faces child molestation and other charges after he was arrested at a state park.

Michael E. Barton, 43, of Bismarck faces charges of child molestation, statutory sodomy, and two counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

Barton was formally charged on November 16 by the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney.

On November 12, investigators with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control were contacted by Missouri State Park Rangers to assist with an ongoing investigation involving Barton who rangers had arrested earlier in Elephant Rocks State Park in Iron County.

At the time of his arrest, Barton was in the company of two children, who investigators suspected could be victims of sexual abuse based on information obtained during a consensual search of Barton’s cell phones.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for Barton’s phones which revealed evidence of sexual abuse committed by Barton against the children, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

On November 16, the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged Barton with child molestation, statutory sodomy, and two counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

Barton was being held in the Madison County Jail with no bond.

The Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigative Unit investigated. Missouri State Park Rangers assisted in the investigation.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding Barton is encouraged to contact Corporal Dustin Reed with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control at (573) 431-0166 ext. 4320.