C.J. man gets 20-years for sexual abuse of a minor

20 years in prison was handed down yesterday to a Carl Junction man accused of sexual abuse of a minor.

50-year-old Robert Wedgeworth was sentenced after taking a plea deal in mid-January to one count of statutory sodomy with a girl under the age of 14. Wedgeworth was facing two counts of statutory sodomy with a child younger than 12 and a single count of first-degree child molestation at the trial before the plea.

The now 17-year-old victim in the case says the Wedgworth started to molest her in 2013 when she was only 11.

Wedgeworth denied the claims but took the Alfrord plea which admits no guilt, but acknowledges that the case could result in a conviction if it proceeded in trial.