Updates Friday, Nov. 13, 2009
Advocacy Group Urges Victims to Come Forward - Members of an abuse awareness group are urging potential victims of an unfolding child sex crime ring to come forward.
Sixth Suspect Charged in Sex Ring Case - A sixth suspect was charged Friday in the growing child sexual abuse case in Lafayette County, Mo.
Updates Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009
Sixth Man Arrested in Mohler Investigation - Hours after a 77-year-old Lafayette County man and his four sons made their first court appearance on charges of multiple sex crimes against children, a sixth man was arrested in connection to the allegations.Exclusive: Friend Reveals Abuse of Mohler Relative - A former friend of the Mohler family said there is at least one victim police do not know about. He is hesitant to come forward. So, he shared her story with NBC Action News.
Updates Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009
Court Documents Reveal Years of Horrific Abuse - A horrific pattern of sexual abuse is alleged in court documents released today in an investigation of a father and his four sons.Investigators Look for Bodies in Sex Ring Case - Investigators say they are searching for at least one body in the case of five men who were arrested for sex crimes against children.Disturbing Accusations the Talk of Small Town - In a small Missouri community of about 300 people, disturbing details about former residents and an alleged child sexual abuse ring are the talk of the town.
Reported Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009
LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Mo. – Law enforcement expects to release more information Wednesday about the five men arrested on active warrants for sex crimes against children. Captain Robert L. Powell, commanding officer of Troop A, in conjunction with Kerrick Alumbaugh, Sheriff of Lafayette County announced the arrests late Tuesday afternoon. The arrests were a result of a multi-jurisdictional investigation initiated by the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office and assisted by the Rural Missouri Major Case Squad, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Burrell Edward Mohler Sr. - 77, Independence, Mo. Class A felony of forcible rape with a child less than 12 years old by the use of forcible compulsion - one count Class B felony rape - two counts Class C felony of use of a child in a sexual performance - two counts Burrell Edward Mohler Jr. - 53, Independence, Mo. Class C felony of deviate sexual assault with a child less than 14 years old - one count Class C felony use of a child in a sexual performance - two counts David A. Mohler - 52, Lamoni, Iowa Class A felony of forcible rape with a child less than 12 years old by use of forcible compulsion Jared Leroy Mohler - 48, Columbia, Mo. Class A felony of forcible rape with a child less than 12 years old by use of forcible compulsion - one count Class B felony of forcible sodomy knowingly had deviate sexual intercourse with a child less than 12 years old by use forcible compulsion - one count Class C felony of use of a child in a sexual performance - two counts Roland Neil Mohler - 47, Bates City, Mo. Class C felony use of a child in a sexual performance All five men are being held at the Lafayette County Jail on bond. This investigation is continuing.
More Information About Family Members
We are learning more about five family members accused of child sex crimes. Investigators said one victim was younger than 12 years old.
Court records indicate the crimes happened at least four times, in 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1995. Missouri Highway Patrol, who is leading the investigation involving police from 11 local law enforcement agencies, said there are multiple victims.
All of the suspects are related. One lives in Bates City, Missouri. Two others live in Independence.
“Well, I’m actually shocked because the man was a quiet neighbor,” said Sandra Norman, a neighbor. “We would have never guessed it.”
On the 1300 block of South Dodgion Street in Independence, neighbors cannot believe what happened to the man living in the corner house with an archway in the front yard.
Burrell Mohler, Sr., 77, is in the Lafayette County jail. Those arrested with him include his son Burrell Mohler, Jr., 53, Jared L. Mohler, 48, of Columbia, David A. Mohler, 52, of Lamoni, Iowa. Their charges include forcible rape, forcible sodomy, and use of a child in sexual performance.
The multi-agency task force, which includes the Western Missouri Cyber Crimes unit, refused to say how many children were involved or their exact ages. However, the charges indicate at least one victim is younger than 12.
Mohler, Sr.’s neighbors said he seemed normal.
“We’ve lived in this neighborhood for years and he’s been a neighbor for years and who would ever suspect that,” Norman said. “It’s amazing. I met him at garage sales and knew his wife years ago. I just wouldn’t ever think of such a thing.”
Another neighbor told NBC Action News, Mohler, Sr. cared for a disabled daughter. However, everyone we talked with said young children were never seen around his house.
So, when police showed up to serve a warrant at Mohler, Sr.’s house, neighbors thought Mohler, Sr. was a victim.
Investigators plan to better explain why he and his four relatives are suspects Wednesday morning.
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