CRIME: ATTORNEY PLEADS GUILTY TO SEX CRIMES WITH KIDS

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A Kaskaskia Island, Ill., attorney pleaded guilty Thursday to sex crimes involving boys in Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties, a spokesman for the Missouri Attorney General's office said.

Alan D. Picou, 36, pleaded guilty to statutory sodomy, invasion of privacy and sexual misconduct, spokesman Scott Holste said. Picou had originally been charged with five felonies and a misdemeanor for relations that he had with two boys.

The felony charge of sodomy and misdemeanor invasion of privacy were based on evidence gathered in Perry County. Sexual misconduct, a misdemeanor, came from investigations in Ste. Genevieve.

Judge Stephen Sharp of Dunklin County heard Picou's guilty plea. He will sentence Picou on Nov. 14.

The charges stem from a Highway Patrol investigation into activities that Picou is alleged to have committed with two juveniles between Sept. 1, 1997 and April 30, 1998, said Rachel Smith, assistant attorney general.

In interviews with a 13-year-old boy, Smith was told that Picou had purchased soda, candy, cigarettes and a bicycle before their relationship became sexual.

The boy told Smith that Picou had exposed himself and later performed sexual acts on the boy over a period of several months.

Sometimes, Picou would give the boy money to perform sexual acts, said investigator Sgt. W.L. Conway of the Missouri Highway Patrol.