Benton man accused of statutory rape, selling pot

While investigating a Benton, Missouri, man they suspected of selling marijuana, Scott County sheriff’s deputies were told he was having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

Deputies arrested Coley D. Mills, 24, about 11:30 p.m. Monday. The Scott County Prosecuting Attorney’s office charged Mills with two counts of first-degree statutory rape, one count of statutory sodomy and one count of intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Deputies executed a search warrant Monday on a house where Mills was living in the 300 block of Missouri Street in Benton, according to a probable-cause affidavit filed in the case by sheriff’s detective Branden Caid.

Mills was not home during the search, but deputies found 6 grams of marijuana in possession of Trenton Hancock, Caid wrote.

Hancock told deputies he said Mills is his roommate and Mills told him to hold the marijuana until he returned from work, according to the affidavit.

Hancock and another man not listed in the affidavit were issued summonses for misdemeanor marijuana possession and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, Sheriff Rick Walter said.

A search of Mills’ room netted a small amount of marijuana and baggies, Caid wrote.

An adult woman and a 13-year-old girl were in the residence during the search, according to the affidavit. Deputies interviewed the landlord, who said Mills was having sex with the 13-year-old, Caid wrote.

He said Mills bragged about it, adding the child’s aunt gave permission to him, according to the affidavit.

Walter said other witnesses also said Mills was having sex with the 13-year-old.

The girl was interviewed at Beacon Health Center by a forensic interviewer in Cape Girardeau, and she said she had sex with Mills on Oct. 13 and 15, Caid wrote.

There is no statement from Mills in the affidavit. Walter said Mills was given an opportunity to tell his side of the story.

Mills’ girlfriend, Bailie Marie Chidester, 19, of Benton was arrested about 3 p.m. Monday, according to a different probable-cause affidavit filed by Caid.

Deputies were watching the residence when they saw Chidester leave in a BMW and followed her, Caid wrote.

Chidester parked at General Watkins State Park and directed deputies to 20 grams of marijuana in a compartment in the vehicle, according to the statement.

After being read her Miranda rights, Chidester said Mills told her to take the marijuana to his brother, but then said she was going to sell the marijuana to her uncle, Caid wrote. She said Mills sells marijuana every day, but it was her first time selling the drug, according to the affidavit.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

300 block of Missouri Street, Benton, Mo.