Perryville man found guilty of rape, sodomy

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Bobby Joe Roberts, 57, was found guilty Friday of one count of rape and two counts of forcible sodomy in a Cape Girardeau County courtroom. Perryville police received a report last August of a sexual assault at the Americas Best Value Inn on Liberty Street. An 18-year-old girl told police Roberts picked her up at her home in Belton, Mo., the day before, drove back to Perryville and rented a hotel room. She was reported missing Aug. 9. Roberts was arrested when he attempted to return to the hotel Aug. 11. The case was transferred from Perry County to Cape Girardeau County in October. The jury heard evidence in Judge William Syler's courtroom beginning Thursday and handed down the verdict after about four hours of deliberation Friday. Roberts has a history of rape. Sentencing was set for Aug. 20.

Pertinent address:

Liberty Street, Perryville, MO

Cape Girardeau, MO