Honk News (Russellville, MO) – A Missouri father is under scrutiny as he confronts multiple charges linked to child sex crimes, with authorities claiming he facilitated a living arrangement for a 31-year-old man with his teenage daughter and provided him with condoms.
Fredrick Clay Copping faces allegations of aiding Travis Kalchbrenner, 31, in his purported sexual offenses involving Copping’s 15-year-old daughter, as detailed in warrants acquired by PEOPLE. Kalchbrenner confronts serious allegations related to child sex offenses.
On Friday, March 14, deputies arrived at a residence in Russellville, Mo., to investigate a potential domestic situation and found a 15-year-old girl who appeared to be intoxicated, as reported in a probable cause statement referenced by ABC 17 and KJLU.
A young girl, whose identity remains undisclosed in court documents, reportedly informed law enforcement that she was 22 years old, but deputies quickly discovered that she was actually only 15, according to the filing. Documents from the court reveal that Kalchbrenner entered the world in 1993.
Kalchbrenner reportedly stated that he first encountered the teenager, whom he described as his “girlfriend,” online several years ago and re-established contact last year, according to the probable cause statement. He reached out to the girl, whom he believed to be 22, via Discord.
In a series of exchanges, Kalchbrenner engaged with Copping, who subsequently travelled to Florida to collect Kalchbrenner for a move to Missouri.
Copping informed authorities that he acted that way because, in his view, Kalchbrenner “appeared to be a nice guy,” according to the statement.
Prosecutors allege that Copping approved of Kalchbrenner sharing a room with his daughter and even provided him with condoms.
Kalchbrenner faces serious allegations, including rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, and child molestation, according to online court records.
Copping faces serious charges including endangering a child, and being an accessory to rape, sodomy, statutory rape, and child molestation, according to court records.
Kalchbrenner and Copping have entered not-guilty pleas regarding their charges, according to court documents, which did not provide any details about their legal representation. They remain in custody with no possibility of bond.