Cape Girardeau man pleads guilty to child molestation

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- A Cape Girardeau man pleaded guilty to child molestation Feb. 5.

James R. Tanner, 49, was charged with performing a sexual act on a 7-year-old boy, according to a news release from Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

Tanner's case was handled in New Madrid County on a change of venue requested by the defense. New Madrid County Judge Fred Copeland sentenced Tanner to a 10-year prison term.

Swingle said Sgt. Scott Eakers of the Jackson Police Department and Detective Don Perry of the Cape Girardeau Police Department were instrumental in securing the guilty plea. Swingle said Eakers got Tanner to admit to sexual involvement with the boy but that Tanner tried to minimize this actions by accusing the child of being the aggressor.