Carthage man sentenced to 20 years for statutory rape of his 13-year-old goddaughter

Oscar Ramos-Vicente (DOB 1973) was sentenced today to 20 years in the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to the statutory rape of his 13-year-old goddaughter.

According to a news release from the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office, the sentence was "part of a plea agreement entered into between the State of Missouri and the defendant after a thorough review of the facts of the case, the relevant law, the strength of the evidence, and detailed discussions with the victim. 

"By entering into this plea agreement, the State has secured a conviction which will require the defendant to register as a sex offender. Additionally, the State avoids the uncertainty of a jury trial, and most importantly, the victim will not be required to take the stand and testify in open court the details of this crime.

"A decision to enter a plea agreement is not made lightly,and only after careful consideration of the facts and evidence in each case."

Ramos-Vicente's crime was detailed in the probable cause statement:

On 01/19/2024 Carthage police responded to the Carthage High School in reference to a past tense rape that occurred in 2020.

Victim 1 stated approximately 2 years ago her godfather, Oscar Ramos-Vicente sexually assaulted her at his house in Carthage, MO. During a subsequent forensic interview with Victim 1, she disclosed she would translate for Ramos when he would go places and be in his custody, care, and control as he was her godfather. 

Ramos would buy clothes for Victim 1 and bought her a phone.

During this time, Ramos would take Victim 1 to his residence, take her to his bedroom, lock the door and have sexual intercourse with her against her will. Victim 1 advised this occurred approximately 3 times. Victim 1 was 13 when these incidents happened as she advised they occurred towards the end of 2020.

Ramos told Victim 1 if she told the police or her parents something would happen to her and them.

On 01/23/2024 I conducted a subsequent interview with Ramos at the Carthage Police Department, 310 W. 4th, Jasper County. Ramos corroborated the Victim’s disclosure regarding timeline and events. Ramos confessed to having sex with Victim 1 in exchange for him getting her a phone.