A Texas County jury Friday found a St. Charles man guilty of sexually abusing a then 10-year old girl.
The jury, comprised of seven men and five women, heard evidence over two days before finding William J. Adams, 47, guilty of first-degree statutory sodomy – deviate sexual intercourse of a person less than 14 years of age. The jury deliberated for just over an hour.
Authorities alleged Adams was riding on a four-wheeler at Summersville when he inappropriately touched the girl in July 2013. Texas County sheriff’s deputies arrested Adams after the girl disclosed the incident.
“This is a man who has forever ruined the life of a girl based on his actions,” said Parke Stevens Jr., county prosecutor who tried the case. “Because of his actions the defendant faces a minimum of five years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and up to a life sentence, along with lifetime registration as a sexual offender.”
Stevens said he was proud of the victim who testified before Wells: “Her story never waffled, never changed, even after being cross examined by defense counsel’s difficult questioning.”
Presiding Circuit Judge William Hickle, who heard testimony, ordered a sentencing assessment report before punishment is given Aug. 4. The sentencing will occur after presentation of evidence to determine the appropriate punishment.