Ava, MO. – A man from Ava has been arrested by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department after an investigation was spurred on over allegations of child molestation and more.
The arrested individual in this incident was identified as Joel Garner, a 55-year-old Ava resident. Testimony was gathered from multiple victims, who all listed in detail several events where Garner allegedly touched them inappropriately and performed multiple sexual acts. Garner himself confessed to numerous acts during interviews, which led to his arrest.
Garner is also noted in the probable cause affidavit as being a previous sexual offender in a case stretching back to roughly 30 years prior.
On January 4th, Garner was arrested on 29 separate felony charges, which include 1st Degree Child Molestation, 1st Degree Sexual Abuse, Statutory Sodomy With a Person Less than 14 Years of Age, Abuse or Neglect of a Child, Incest, and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
He is being held without bond as additional victims are being interviewed. The investigation is ongoing.
