Verona’s Mealer charged with statutory sodomy, other sex crimes against juvenile relative

A Verona man was taken into custody after he was accused of allegedly committing multiple sexual offenses against a juvenile female relative. Louis Anthony Mealer, 57, is currently charged with two counts of first-degree statutory sodomy, second-degree child molestation, endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, and incest. He was arrested and booked into the Lawrence County Jail on Friday, Aug. 16.
According to the probable cause statement in the case, the investigating officer met with the parents of the victim, only described as a girl under the age of 12. The girl’s mother told the officer that Mealer had allegedly touched the girl inappropriately while they were at his house; she also described the actions Mealer was accused of doing.
 The officer set up an interview with the girl, her parents, and a member of the Missouri Children’s Division. During the interview, the girl described things she and Mealer had done together on the day the abuse allegedly occurred, including going to a store, making Rice Krispies treats, and eating dinner. The girl also said later that evening, she and Mealer were watching television alone together, and while she was sitting in his lap, Mealer allegedly told her “she was very mature for” (her age), and also said she was “irresistible.” The girl said Mealer then proceeded repeatedly to touch her inappropriately.
Afterwards, the girl said, Mealer went outside, and she went and told another relative who was in the house about what had happened. The relative then contacted the girl’s mother, who came and picked up her and a sibling who was also at the house.
The officer investigating the case reported evidence was collected and sent to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crime lab.
As of press time, Mealer remained in the Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond.