Man found guilty of child sodomy charges

<p>Urban</p>

Urban

Joshua Urban, 25, of Holts Summit, was found guilty of two counts of first-degree statutory sodomy following a two-day jury trial last week in the Callaway County Circuit Court, Division 3.

Urban was charged with touching the genitals of a female child and having the child touch his genitals during incidents occurring between January 2016 and June 2017. The child was 4- and 5-years-old at the time of the incidents.

Urban was indicted by a grand jury in late December and arrested Jan. 1 in Jefferson City, as previously reported by the Fulton Sun.

In front of Judge Kevin Crane, a jury found Urban guilty of both offenses, each of which has an authorized term of imprisonment from 10 years to life.

The case is set for hearing on post-trial motions and sentencing on June 11.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ben Miller. Urban was defended by the Callaway County Public Defender's Office. The indictment is the result of an extensive investigation conducted by the Callaway County Sheriff's Office at a residence in the Holts Summit area. The State of Missouri Children's Division assisted with the investigation.

Residents are reminded anytime they believe a child has been abused or neglected to contact the state Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-392-3738 or contact local law enforcement agencies.