Marble Hill, Mo., molestation case set for three-day trial in May

BENTON, Mo. -- A Marble Hill, Mo., man charged more than a year ago with 18 felonies related to alleged sexual misconduct with young boys had his trial set recently by a Scott County circuit court judge.

Tory F. Bowns, 51, was charged in August 2009 after the parent of a 12-year-old boy filed a complaint with authorities that he molested her child and his 10-year-old friend. The court granted a change of venue to Scott County in December 2009.

Bown, disabled and unemployed at the time of the incident according to court documents, is charged with six counts of statutory sodomy, one count of attempted statutory sodomy, nine counts of child molestation and two counts of sexual misconduct.

Circuit Judge Scott Horman set Bowns' three-day trial to begin May 11.

On dates between June 1 and Aug. 1, 2009, Bowns allegedly forced the boys to watch pornography and engaged in sexual acts with them.

In a separate interview with authorities, Bowns denied having ever touched the children but said they were often at his residence where he'd take them to fire shotguns and bows and go swimming.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent Address:

Marble Hill, MO