Scott City man caught after faking his death found guilty of statutory rape

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Butler County judge found Charles E. Rothman guilty of three counts of statutory rape at a bench trial on Wednesday.

The 65-year-old Scott City man was arrested in May 2007 after apparently trying to fake his death to evade prosecution by setting his fishing boat adrift in the Diversion Channel.

Police believe a witness in the case tipped Rothman off to the developing investigation into the sexual abuse case and he took off.

A driver cruising down Highway 25 reported seeing the boat, registered in Rothman's name, drfting in the Diversion Channel on May 30, 2007.

Police caught up with him in Poplar Bluff and arrested him after he used his ATM card.

Once he disappeared, police, knowing about the sex crime investigation, obtained a subpeona to track his movements through bank accounts and cell phone.

Rothman was found guilty of engaging in sex acts with a 13-year-old girl over several months, between February and May 2007. The three felony counts each carry a penalty of five years' incarceration to life in prison.

He originally faced nine counts of statutory rape and statutory sodomy in relation to the sexual abuse.

Circuit Judge Mark Richardson authorized a sentencing assessment report, to be completed before a sentencing date can be scheduled.