The St. Louis Sex Crimes Unit is a division within the city’s Metropolitan Police Department that investigates sex-related crimes. While the unit often has involvement in sexual assault and rape cases, its detectives may also collect evidence about suspected statutory sodomy.
Statutory sodomy is a criminal offense that includes anal, oral and other types of deviant sex with a minor. Both law enforcement and courts in Missouri consider statutory sodomy to be serious. Consequently, upon conviction, defendants may spend up to the rest of their lives behind bars.
First-degree statutory sodomy
In the Show Me State, there are two types of statutory sodomy. According to Missouri Law, first-degree statutory sodomy occurs when an individual has deviate sexual intercourse with a person who is under the age of 14.
First-degree statutory sodomy is a felony that carries with it a minimum of five years and a maximum of life imprisonment. If the victim is under the age of 12, the offense becomes an aggravated one with a minimum prison sentence of 10 years upon conviction.
Second-degree statutory sodomy
While it sounds less serious than first-degree statutory sodomy, second-degree statutory sodomy may also lead to a lengthy prison sentence. To be guilty of second-degree statutory sodomy in Missouri, an adult has must deviate sexual intercourse with a minor who is under the age of 17.
A conviction for second-degree statutory sodomy may result in a sentence of between one year in county jail and seven years in prison. Those who commit the offense typically also must pay a stiff fine.
Ultimately, because of the extremely serious nature of both first- and second-degree statutory sodomy, it is critical for anyone facing either charge to explore all defense options as promptly as possible.
