Scott City man who faked death to avoid prosecution found guilty of statutory rape

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — A Butler County Judge found Charles E. Rothman guilty of three counts of statutory rape at a bench trial on Wednesday.

The 65-year-old man, of Scott City, was arrested last May after apparently trying to fake his death to evade prosecution by setting his fishing boat adrift in the Diversion Channel.

Police caught up with him in Poplar Bluff and arrested him after he used his ATM card.

Rothman was found guilty of engaging in sex acts with a 13-year-old girl over several months. The three felony counts each carry a penalty of five years incarceration to life in prison.

Circuit Judge Mark Richardson authorized a sentencing assessment report, to be completed before a sentencing date can be scheduled.