Two Missouri soldiers charged with statutory rape

SEYMOUR, Mo. (AP) -- Two Fort Leonard Wood soldiers have been charged with having sex with a 13-year-old southern Missouri girl.

Jessie F. McCormick and John A. Koelle, both 20, were arrested on New Year's Day after the girl's father told authorities he suspected McCormick was involved with his daughter.

McCormick was charged Wednesday with one count of first-degree statutory rape and Koelle with three counts of first-degree statutory rape.

According to the probable cause statement, McCormick had sex with the Seymour girl between June 1 and Dec. 31, and Koelle had sex with her once in November and twice in December.

A Fort Leonard Wood spokesman said McCormick and Koelle were on leave at the time of the alleged crimes.

The soldiers are being held in the Webster County Jail on $50,000 bonds and have court appearances Monday.