Ava, MO. – The third suspect in a case of statutory rape of several victims under the age of 14 is in custody, after the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, Homeland Security, the Division of Family Services, and the Ava PD assisted the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in capturing Robert Atherton.
On February 3rd, Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase received information that Atherton was picked up in the area of Columbus, Ohio. This arrest was made in relation to a case where, last month, Harold Blair was arrested for Possession of Child Pornography. Later, as a result of the investigation, Shawna Ross was arrested on January 19th.
Robert Atherton was arrested for Statutory Rape of a Victim under the age of 14, and Statutory Sodomy with a Victim under the Age of 14, with victims including his two daughters he shared with Shawna Ross.
Atherton is currently being held in the Franklin Pike Facility in Columbus, Ohio. He is being held without bond and additional charges of sex trafficking are expected to be added.
