Sikeston man charged with child molestation

A Sikeston, Mo., man is in jail after authorities received a tip that he was inappropriately touching and photographing a child.

Ronnie G. Newell, 41, is charged with first-degree child molestation, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, according to a news release from the Scott County Sheriff's Department.

The child's grandmother told Scott City police that Newell had been taking inappropriate photographs of the 10-year-old girl. During the investigation, authorities found that Newell had allegedly inappropriately touched the girl at his home in October, according to the release.

The girl told her mother about the incident almost a week after it happened, but the information was not turned over to authorities until the victim told her grandmother, according to the release.

A sheriff's deputy from the Scott County Sheriff's Department went to the Newell residence Wednesday to speak with Ronnie Newell. While at the residence, the deputy discovered an odor that was apparently burned marijuana. Newell allowed his residence to be searched, and officers found several pieces of drug paraphernalia, an unnamed controlled substance and marijuana.

Newell's bond is set at $75,000.

Pertinent address:

Scott City, MO

Sikeston, MO