Wayne County Man Admits to Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

(Cape Girardeau) A Wayne County man admitted, on Tuesday in federal court in Cape Girardeau, to making recordings of his sex acts with minors. A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s office says 46-year-old Tony Ray Waites of Piedmont pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor. He admitted that in March of 2022, an 11-year-old boy reported that Waites had sexually abused him on several occasions and the boy believed Waites had filmed the abuse. A court-approved search of Waites’ home discovered electronic devices that contained videos of Waites abusing that victim. There were also videos depicting nine other boys. Some were abused by Waites, others were filmed naked. Waites will be sentenced February 6th of 2024. His conviction carries a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years.