(From the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)After a two-day jury trial, the McDonald County jury that found Rogers Benton King III, 47, of Granby Missouri, guilty of two counts of child sex crimes, suggested the court sentence King to 9 years in the Department of Corrections.
The jury suggested a sentence of 8 years on Child Molestation and 1 year on Sexual Misconduct.
Judge Charles Genisio will determine the sentence on June 29, 2026.
Under Missouri law, the charges of Child Molestation in the Second Degree carries a sentence of 5 to 15 years and Sexual Misconduct Involving a Child Under 15 carries a sentence of 1 to 4 years in the Missouri
Department of Corrections. The Judge cannot exceed the suggested sentence of the jury.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nate Dally presented evidence outlining the impact the offense had on the 10-year-old victim who was six-years-old when the defendant perpetrated on her, as well as a statement from a propensity witness who was also abused by the defendant when she was a child.
Department of Corrections. The Judge cannot exceed the suggested sentence of the jury.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Nate Dally presented evidence outlining the impact the offense had on the 10-year-old victim who was six-years-old when the defendant perpetrated on her, as well as a statement from a propensity witness who was also abused by the defendant when she was a child.
“Citizens play a integral role in holding offenders accountable and delivering justice for victims and we saw that today through our jury’s actions,” stated William Lynch, Newton County
Prosecuting Attorney. “Jury sentencing is relatively rare, and this is the first instance I’ve encountered in my 12 years of practice.”
This conviction and sentence were made possible thanks to our partners at the Children’s Center of Southwest Missouri and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted Nate Dally, Dillon
Walker, and William Lynch of the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
Rogers Benton King III, this sick pedophile got off easy - pedophiles should serve the highest recommended time in jail - 9-years is just not enough, but this is the recommendation of the jury and not the final sentence imposed by the Judge. Missouri inmates serve varying percentages based on prior commitments (40%-80% of their jail sentence), while the 85% rule specifically targets violent offenders to serve most of their prison time. So, Rogers Benton King III, may serve less than 50% of his Sentence - for his heinous crime - a slap on the wrist.
ReplyDelete6:00 you are absolutely correct. Unfortunately, for these children and likely more in the future, when this predator is released. The legislatures need to redo these sexual child abuse laws immediately to prevent these menaces to society from being released so quickly. Much longer sentences need to be wrote in to our laws that judges and juries must comply with, for the protection of all children.
Delete