Joplin man found guilty for child molestation in the first jury trial at new courthouse

The first jury trial in the new Joplin courthouse came to an end last Thursday. John Anthony Shutters of Joplin, Missouri was found guilty on two counts of statutory sodomy in the first degree of his step children.

According to prosecuting attorney Taylor Haas the abuse started when the victims were 3 and 5 years old. Charges against the now 41 year old were initially filed in February of 2020 when the victims were 10 and 12 years old. 

The two day trial came to an end when the jury delivered a guilty verdict after only 50 minutes of deliberations. Shutters was handed down a sentencing of 99 years in prison for both charges which would be served consecutively. 

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 28th.