DPS Team Members of the Month
February Sworn Team Member of the Month
Kyle Seabaugh
Corporal
Missouri State Highway Patrol
February Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month
Keli Theison
Office Support Assistant
Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control
Corporal Kyle Seabaugh, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Special Victims Unit, is the DPS Sworn Team Member of the Month for February 2025 for his leadership in expanding a child pornography case, which led to removing four young children from extreme, ongoing sexual abuse.
In March 2021, Kyle was assigned as lead investigator in a child pornography distribution investigation in Henry County. He organized a team of experienced investigators that conducted two coordinated searches. As he dug deeper, Kyle located hidden incriminating evidence of child sexual abuse on the suspect’s cell phone. He and a second suspect were arrested and charged with multiple counts of sex trafficking, statutory sodomy and rape.
Kyle and his team worked relentlessly over three years to build their case, including collaboration with a forensic pediatrician and an FBI expert, to correctly identify the child victims. In June 2024, the initial defendant was found guilty on 23 counts of sex trafficking of a child, statutory sodomy and rape.
Kyle’s leadership of his investigative team, which included troopers, officers from the Clinton Police Department, Henry County Sherriff’s Office, and Missouri Department of Social Services State Technical Assistance Team, ended the horrific continuing abuse of four children. It also resulted in the initial suspect receiving 23 life sentences.
The second defendant is currently awaiting trial. The charges against her are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
Keli Theison, an Office Support Assistant in the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control’s Kansas City District office, is the DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month for February 2025 for her attention to detail, resourcefulness and excellent work assisting liquor licensees and the public.
Recently, while conducting a background check on a liquor license application, Keli uncovered that the applicant had an alias. His application had indicated he had no criminal record. As the ATC team investigated further, it was found that the applicant had actually been indicted on six counts of theft of government property and two counts of money laundering. The federal indictment indicated he was considered to be a threat to the community.
Keli’s attention to detail and thorough background check provided key information and resulted in the liquor license application being denied. Her work exemplifies ATC’s commitment to ensuring all licensees are reputable and legally operate establishments that are safe for the public.
Congratulations to all the Team Members of the Month! You have set an outstanding example for your co-workers throughout the Department of Public Safety.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety. Many Missions. One Team.