Trial for Reeds man charged with having sex with 12-year-old set for next week

The statutory rape trial of a Reeds man accused of having sex with a 12-year-old Carthage girl is scheduled to begin Tuesday, September 11, in Jasper County Circuit Court, with Judge Dean Dankelson presiding.

The trial is expected to last three days.

The alleged rape occurred in February 2017, according to the probable cause statement, when Kordale Spurgeon, 19 (18 at the time of the incident came to the girl's home on Valley Street and had sexual intercourse with her in her bedroom.

During an interview at the Children's Center, "(the girl) advised Spurgeon was aware she was only 12 years old by a previous communication they had concerning her age. (She) also knew Spurgeon was 18 years old."

After they had sex, Spurgeon began sending her messages "advising her not to tell anyone about him having sex with her because he would be in big trouble due to her being 12 years old," according to the probable cause affidavit.