Marble Hill man charged with child molestation, statutory rape

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- A Marble Hill man faces child molestation and statutory rape charges in connection with an incident that occurred in October, according to a probable-cause statement.

Brandon E. Johnson, 20, was arrested Wednesday after Bollinger County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Gray filed charges in the case.

The alleged adolescent victim in the case stated during an interview at the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence that she'd had consensual intercourse with a man matching Johnson's description, the statement said.

The victim said the man's name was "Brandon," according to the sworn statement. Johnson waived his Miranda rights during an interview with police and gave a voluntary statement placing himself at the scene on the date the victim said the encounter occurred, the probable-cause statement said.

Johnson also admitted to having met the victim, the statement said.

An arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Last year, Bollinger County filed fewer cases than surrounding counties for child molestation and statutory rape or sodomy cases, according to Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence.

Of the 39 Bollinger County sexual assault cases seen by NASV, which involved victims of all ages, charges for either child molestation, statory sodomy or rape were filed against two individuals, said NASV director Tammy Gwaltney.

In Cape Girardeau County, NASV saw 172 victims, and of those, there were 13 charges filed involving child molestation or statutory sodomy or rape, Gwaltney said.

Perry County had 13 cases prosecuted for child molestation or statory rape or sodomy out of 59 cases reported to NASV, and Scott County filed charges in those types of crimes in 32 out of 126 total cases seen by NASV, Gwaltney said.