A 33-year-old teacher at Slater High School has been charged following an operation conducted by an undercover peace officer in late 2024.

According to a probable cause statement, Geoffrey Butler initiated contact with the officer who masquerading online as a 14-year-old girl from the state of Iowa via a cell phone app as part of an online child enticement investigation in October 2024.

During their conversations, Butler attempts to persuade, solicit, coax, entice, or lure through his communication with a person he believes to be a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual conduct. Butler also requested to meet with the undercover officer and offered to pick her up while traveling through Iowa. During some of the conversations, Butler asks the girl for explicit photos as well.

Investigators from the Missouri State Highway Patrol contacted Butler about the investigation on January 3. Butler denied the allegations and declined to answer more questions. During a search of his phone, authorities noticed the app history on his cell
phone showed he has downloaded the app he and the undercover officer were communicating with.

Butler has been charged with a felony for enticement or attempted enticement of a child less than 15 years of age. Bond has been set at $250,000 cash only.