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INDEPENDENCE, MO -
Authorities in Jackson County searched a shed behind an Independence home on Tuesday as the ongoing Mohler child sex crime case expands into the metro area from Lafayette County.
Burrell Mohler Sr., 77, his four sons and his brother are all charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse against several young children in their family. The alleged crimes date back to the mid-1980's, when the now-adult victims were children.
On Tuesday, Jackson County Sheriff's deputies told FOX 4 that detectives searched a shed belonging to a family associate of one of the suspects, Burrell 'Ed' Mohler, Jr.
Deputies say that the owner of the shed called authorities and told them that Mohler Jr., was renting the shed and stored a lot of his property inside.
Detectives say that, unlike many previous searches, they did not find any pornographic material in the shed, but they did confiscate journals and old family writings.
According to authorities, earlier searches of other properties around Independence and Lafayette County turned up pornographic material that included incest and children.
Detectives say that they are logging evidence seized and are reviewing about 100 VHS video tapes taken under a separate search warrant served at Burrell Mohler Sr.'s home in Independence last week.
Investigators have declined to comment on what those tapes contain.
According to search warrant details released by investigators on Tuesday, the search at the home did turn up a large amount of pornographic material, including magazines, movies, and other material, mixed in with religious books and children's books.
Investigators have declined to comment on what those tapes contain.
Burrell Mohler Sr. and his four sons are currently being held in the Lafayette County Jail in Lexington, and are expected to appear again in court next week. A sixth man, identified as Mohler Sr.'s brother, is scheduled to be transported to Lexington from Florida.
Detectives say that media coverage of the case has helped to expand the investigation, saying that many of their leads have come from people who know the Mohlers, have seen the story in the media and have called in tips.
Burrell Mohler Sr., 77, his four sons and his brother are all charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse against several young children in their family. The alleged crimes date back to the mid-1980's, when the now-adult victims were children.
On Tuesday, Jackson County Sheriff's deputies told FOX 4 that detectives searched a shed belonging to a family associate of one of the suspects, Burrell 'Ed' Mohler, Jr.
Deputies say that the owner of the shed called authorities and told them that Mohler Jr., was renting the shed and stored a lot of his property inside.
Detectives say that, unlike many previous searches, they did not find any pornographic material in the shed, but they did confiscate journals and old family writings.
According to authorities, earlier searches of other properties around Independence and Lafayette County turned up pornographic material that included incest and children.
Detectives say that they are logging evidence seized and are reviewing about 100 VHS video tapes taken under a separate search warrant served at Burrell Mohler Sr.'s home in Independence last week.
Investigators have declined to comment on what those tapes contain.
According to search warrant details released by investigators on Tuesday, the search at the home did turn up a large amount of pornographic material, including magazines, movies, and other material, mixed in with religious books and children's books.
Investigators have declined to comment on what those tapes contain.
Burrell Mohler Sr. and his four sons are currently being held in the Lafayette County Jail in Lexington, and are expected to appear again in court next week. A sixth man, identified as Mohler Sr.'s brother, is scheduled to be transported to Lexington from Florida.
Detectives say that media coverage of the case has helped to expand the investigation, saying that many of their leads have come from people who know the Mohlers, have seen the story in the media and have called in tips.
