James Myers appears in court for child sex abuse sting

SUPERIOR – On December 18, James Myers, former Superior youth probation officer, was arrested for alleged sexual abuse of children.

Myers’ initial appearance in Missoula County Justice Court was on December 20, 2013. According to the court summary, on January 2, 2014, the case was transferred to Missoula County District Court.

According to Missoula County Justice Court complaint and affadavit, Myers has been accused of “traveling within the state with the intention of meeting a person…believed to be a 12 year old child to engage in sexual conduct.”

According to the court affadavit, Myers responded to an ad posted by the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children task force and was offered the choice between a sexual encounter with a 12 year old girl or a 15 year old posted by a female relative.

When he arrived at the specified location, he requested oral sex from the 12 year old and gave the undercover officer $100 before he was taken into custody.

Myers and six other people were arrested in connection to the case. According to the affadavit, the arrests were made as part of a sting operation by the Missoula Police Department and the Sheriff’s Departments of Missoula and Flathead Counties, to lure sexual predators into the open.

This is a felony violation under Montana code 45-5-625(h).

The code states “[Charge 1: Sexual Abuse of Children is] punishable by life or 100 years MSP and a $10,000 fine.”

The case will be handled by Judge Karen Townsend. The date of Myers’ next court appearance was scheduled for January 21 at 9:45 a.m.

The task force worked to put profiles on Craigslist and Backpage to tempt predators with the offer of sexual encounters with a minor.

When people responded and wanted to accept the offer, instructions were given on where to meet. Undercover officers arrested the defendants when they arrived at the location.

Myers posted his $50,000 bond on January 6.