Standard Democrat

A Sikeston man convicted of statutory sodomy Thursday later took his own life. A jury deliberated over three hours Thursday before finding 40-year old Shannon Mouser guilty of one count of first degree statutory sodomy for having deviate sexual intercourse with a child less than 12 years of age at a residence in Scott County between March 16, 2003, to Dec. 1, 2004. According to Scott County Prosecutor Paul R. Boyd says Mouser’s attorney attempted to discredit the victim’s testimony because of her eight-year delay in reporting the abuse in 2012. With the conviction, Mouser faced from 10 to 30 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. A sentencing hearing was set for Aug. 19. Mouser left behind 3 children.