St. Francois County Man Charged With Sodomy Gets Bond Reduction

(Farmington) A man from Desloge is facing child molestation and sodomy charges from 2022 incidents that took place in St. Francois County.

46-year-old Benjamin D. Lawson is facing the felonies of statutory sodomy or attempted statutory sodomy – deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 12-years-old, second degree child molestation with a child under 12 and sexual misconduct with a child under the age of 15 first offense.

A report says the Children’s Advocacy Center interviewed the victim and they learned Lawson allegedly touched the young child in a sexual way last November.

The child also says Lawson allegedly exposed himself and he allegedly sodomized the girl.

The girl told investigators the crimes took place in Desloge and in Farmington.

On Tuesday in court, Lawson’s bond was cut in half from 200-thousand to 100-thousand dollars.

Special conditions will remain if Lawson meets his bond and is released from jail.

Lawson’s next day in court will be April 18th for his preliminary hearing.

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