On May 23, 2019, members of Lewis County Sheriff's Office arrested James D. Starr, age 29, of La Belle, Missouri on one count of attempted enticement of a child, an unclassified felony.  This investigation  began in September of 2018 after the Sheriff's Office had received a referral from the Kirksville Regional Cyber Crimes Unit.  Mr. Starr is alleged to have attempted to meet an underage female at the city park in La Belle in October, 2018.  Mr. Starr was actually communicating with a Kirksville police officer.  Starr was communicating via the internet.  Mr. Starr also faces similar charges in Adair County, Missouri.  The Lewis County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Kirksville Police Department.

Starr was held in the Lewis County Jail until May 28, 2019.  He was released on his own recognizance.