In January of 2020 the Texas County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation in response to a child abuse hotline report received by the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division. The hotline alleged that a female victim had been subjected to forcible sexual contact beginning at the age of 10, and the abuse continued over multiple years.
On January 15, a 33 year old suspect Calvin Cornelius was arrested and interviewed about the allegations. Information developed during the investigation that supported the arrest and sufficient probable cause for criminal charges.
Texas County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jason Macpherson charged Calvin C. Cornelius of Mountain Grove with Rape 1st degree, Statutory Rape 1st degree (3 counts), and Statutory Sodomy (2 counts). Cornelius was held in the Texas County Jail pending $750,000 bond.
The above charges are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
