Sikeston man sought in rape

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sikeston police are searching for a man suspected of repeatedly raping a 12-year-old girl over the past six months.

Drew Juden, director of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, said the girl was raped at knifepoint at her home in Sikeston.

Police said the suspect, Tommy Watson Jr., waited until the girl's mother left for work about 5:30 a.m., Wednesday and entered her home.

Witnesses reported that he brandished a knife, threatening the victim and members of her family if she didn't comply with his demands.

The victim told police Watson forced her to have sex with him on five separate incidents in the past six months.

The Scott County prosecutor, Cristy Baker-Neel, has issued warrants for Watson on seven counts of forcible rape, one count of forcible sodomy and three counts of armed criminal action.

He was on federal parole at the time of the alleged crimes and is wanted on a parole violation warrant also, police said.

A search of Watson's residence and attempts to contact him through several relatives have been unsuccessful.