New charges against kidnapping suspect allege sexual abuse

CLAYTON, Mo. -- A Missouri man accused of kidnapping two boys and holding one for more than four years was charged Monday with molesting them -- nearly 70 times in all.

The charges were the first time authorities have openly accused Michael Devlin of molesting the children.

Devlin was charged with 71 counts, two for kidnapping and the others for forcible sodomy, all felonies and each punishable by up to life in prison, in connection with the 2002 disappearance of Shawn Hornbeck and the Jan. 8 disappearance of Ben Ownby.

The boys are identified in the charges by their initials.

Seventeen of the charges allege that Devlin kidnapped Ben Jan. 8 and forced the boy to have "deviate sexual intercourse" with Devlin four times that day and four times each day for the next three days. There are no charges for the day of Jan. 12, the day the boys were found.

The remaining 54 charges claim that after kidnapping Shawn in October 2002, Devlin kept the boy isolated in Devlin's apartment for the first month. The boy was forced to have intercourse with Devlin throughout that month and at least once a month until Shawn and Ben were found in January, prosecutors said.

At a news conference, St. Louis County prosecutor Robert McCulloch said evidence against Devlin includes interviews with all of the parties involved.

"Devlin acknowledged committing these acts," McCulloch said.

In a written statement, defense attorneys Ethan Corlija and Michael Kielty said they have explained the charges to Devlin and that he understands they are "very serious."

"We have also told Mr. Devlin that we have received no evidence from any of the prosecutors about any of the charges," the statement said.

"Common sense and the Constitution would suggest that everyone should wait to hear any evidence before reaching any final judgment."

While it is The Associated Press' policy not to identify alleged victims of sexual abuse in most cases, the boys' case has been widely publicized and their names are well-known. Also, relatives of both boys have conducted several national interviews.

"The family is relieved that the speculation and the wondering with respect to what happened over four years is now over," Scott Sherman, a lawyer representing Shawn and his family, said in a telephone interview.

He said Shawn is "absolutely" willing to testify if the case goes to trial.

"I think he's committed to justice, as painful as it might be."

Devlin, a 41-year-old pizzeria manager, already faces kidnapping charges in Washington and Franklin counties for the boys' abductions.

Washington County authorities have said Devlin used a gun to threaten Shawn when he was abducted in 2002.

Devlin has pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges.

Shawn, now 15, was 11 when he was taken in 2002 from near his home in Richwoods in rural Washington County. Ben, 13, was abducted in Beaufort on Jan. 8 in Franklin County, and a white pickup seen speeding away led police to Devlin.

Loyd Bailie, Ben's uncle who has acted as a spokesman for the boy's family, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

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AP reporters Cheryl Wittenauer and Betsy Taylor in St. Louis contributed to this report.