Top Missouri Department of Revenue lawyer arrested in child enticement enforcement operation
By Jacob Richey, Avery Copeland and Max Quinn, KOMU Digital Staff
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KOMU) — One of the men arrested in an apparent child enticement sting operation in Boone County was a longtime lawyer in state departments including the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Daniel Follett, 56, was charged Wednesday with one count of child enticement following his arrest on Tuesday, according to court documents.
A spokesperson for the Department of Revenue told KOMU 8 News on Thursday that Follett, who was the top legal counsel for the department, has had his employment terminated.
“The department is aware of an out-of-office incident involving a staff member being arrested and charged with criminal activity,” the department said in an emailed statement. “Following departmental procedures, employment has been terminated with the individual.”
Follett, of Columbia, allegedly attempted to meet a person he talked with online who he believed was 16 years old, according to a probable cause statement. He went to a predetermined location at 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to the statement.
In messages, Follett allegedly discussed paying money for sexual acts with the girl, who was actually a decoy, according to court documents.
Follett’s LinkedIn page, which is tagged as “Verified” from a government ID, lists him as general counsel for the Missouri Department of Revenue. Before that, he worked in the General Counsel’s Office for more than seven years and in the Attorney General’s Office for six years, according to his LinkedIn page. He also worked in the Attorney General’s Office and as general counsel for the Department of Public Safety in the late 1990s and early 2000s before a six-year period in private legal practice, according to his LinkedIn page.
Documents published on a Missouri Office of Administration webpage show Follett was recognized in 2023 for 20 years of service as a state employee.
KOMU 8 News reached out to Follett’s attorney for comment and has not received a response.
Follett is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. He was set to be arraigned at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Boone County Courthouse, according to court records.
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Jacob Richeynews@komu.com5738846397