Stotts City man accused of sodomy, other sex crimes

By: 
Steve Chapman

A Stotts City man is currently in custody in the Jasper County Jail on charges that could potentially land him a life sentence. Christopher Ryan Versteeg, 39, is accused of first-degree statutory sodomy, first-degree statutory rape and sexual trafficking of a child under the age of 12.
The crimes Versteeg allegedly committed took place in Carthage in 2013. According to the probable cause statement in the case, Versteeg took the victim into a shed where he allegedly exposed himself to her and had her perform a sex act on him. Later that fall, Versteeg allegedly took her out to Kellogg Lake in Carthage after dark and raped her. He would also allegedly repeatedly rape her in her bedroom or touch her inappropriately. Afterwards, Versteeg allegedly gave the victim money, up to $50 at a time, and tell her not to tell anyone. Because Versteeg allegedly paid the girl money after the acts, he is also charged with sexual trafficking.
 Versteeg was interviewed by the investigating officer. According to the probable cause statement, during the interview, Versteeg said, “I don’t know why she is doing this after so long.”
According to online records and court documents, Versteeg was taken into custody on Wednesday, Sept. 11 and arraigned on the charges on Friday, Sept. 13; he is currently being held without bond and next due in court on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Versteeg has a prior felony conviction; in November of 2015, in a plea bargain, he pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree and was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections. It was not immediately clear when he was released. According to online records at the Missouri State Highway Patrol website, the victim in that case was a seven-year-old girl.
 

Category:

Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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