Sedgewickville man arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse of minor

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Michael Lappe, 31, of Sedgewickville has been charged with a Class C felony count of second-degree statutory sodomy and a misdemeanor child molestation charge in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl.

According to Bollinger County court documents, the girl's mother reported to the Bollinger County Sheriff's Department Friday that Lappe's wife had allegedly discovered Michael Lappe had been sexually involved with the girl for several months.

The juvenile was interviewed at the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence, where she admitted to having had sexual contact with Lappe.

Lappe was arrested Friday at his place of employment. If convicted, he faces a prison term carrying a maximum of seven years in prison, a fine up to $5,000 or a combination for the sodomy charge. The misdemeanor count carries a fine not to exceed $1,000, a year in the county jail, or a combination.

Lappe is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday.