Granby man sentenced to 9 years for child sex crimes

NEOSHO, Mo. — A Granby, Missouri, man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after a Newton County jury found him guilty of child molestation and sexual misconduct involving a 6-year-old child.

Newton County Prosecuting Attorney William Lynch announced that Rogers Benton King III, 47, was sentenced to nine years in the Missouri Department of Corrections following his convictions for second-degree child molestation and sexual misconduct.

A Newton County jury found King guilty of both charges during a trial in March and recommended sentences totaling nine years. Judge Charles Genisio of Missouri's 40th Judicial Circuit imposed the sentence recommended by jurors.

According to prosecutors, the victim was 6 years old when the offenses occurred.

"Every child deserves to be safe in their own home and protected by the adults entrusted with their care," Lynch said in a statement. "Instead, this defendant exploited that trust and victimized a six-year-old child. While no sentence can undo the harm caused by these crimes, today's sentence ensures that Rogers King will be held accountable for his actions."

Lynch said child abuse cases are among the most challenging prosecuted by his office and emphasized the importance of reporting suspected abuse.

"Children often lack the ability to protect themselves, which means it is the responsibility of adults to listen, to act, and to report abuse when it comes to light," Lynch said. "This conviction was only possible because family members took the victim's disclosures seriously and because law enforcement and child advocacy professionals worked tirelessly to uncover the truth."

He added that the case serves as a reminder that individuals who prey on children will be prosecuted and held accountable.

The investigation was conducted by the Newton County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the Children's Center of Southwest Missouri. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Nate Dally and Dillon Walker, along with Lynch.