Newton County man sentenced to 15 years for molesting two children

(From the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)

A Newton County man has been sentenced to 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections after entering a guilty plea to two counts of Child Molestation in the First Degree.

Cortoney Rogers, 43, of Fairview, was sentenced by Judge Charles Genisio of the 40th Judicial Circuit after pleading guilty as charged.

The investigation into Rogers began in December of 2025 after a juvenile reported that Rogers had sexually abused her over an extended period of time. 

During the investigation, Rogers admitted to detectives that he had molested the victim. Five months later, another individual reported that Rogers had sexually abused her as a child, approximately 18 years earlier. Those investigations resulted in the Prosecutor’s Office filing two counts of Child Molestation.

“This 15-year sentence sends a clear and unmistakable message: those who prey upon children will be held accountable,” said William Lynch, Newton County Prosecuting Attorney. 

“The defendant’s actions caused profound and lasting harm, and while no sentence can undo that harm, justice requires a significant prison sentence. Given the defendant’s serious and ongoing medical condition, it is entirely possible that he will spend the remainder of his life in prison.

"That is a consequence of his own choices and actions. Our office will continue to stand with victims and pursue justice without hesitation. When someone commits these kinds of offenses against a child, we will hold them accountable, no matter how much time has passed since the offense.”

This case was investigated by Detective Daniel Martin with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Nate Dally and William Lynch of the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Kayla McQuigg of the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office provided integral victims' services throughout the pendency of the case.