Joshua A. Gann of Rogersville is facing one count of child pornography and nine counts of second-degree statutory rape, all class D felonies, following an investigation by Clinton Police. The investigation began by Clinton authorities on Oct. 12, 2021, after responding to a suspicious vehicle call and finding Gann, age 40, having intercourse with a 16-year old. Gann was taken into custody, where he declined to answer questions, leading authorities to question the teen about the situation.
Police found the two had met through a dating site in February 2021, where Gann pretended to be a 17-year-old girl named "Jessica." The two started exchanging messages under this identity to avoid any suspicion. However, the two knew early in their conversations that "Jessica" was not real and each other's ages. Soon Gann arranged for the 16-year-old and "Jessica" to spend multiple days together at his home in Rogersville. Gann even visited the teen's mother pretending to be "Jessica's" father to make the arrangement seem legitimate. From there Gann would continue to visit the teen throughout the year and visit in Clinton until the time of his arrest.
Following this information, police obtained a search warrant for Gann's phone, where they found an inappropriate image of the teen.
Each count of a Class D Felony carries a range of punishment, including serving jail time in the Missouri Department of Corrections for one to seven years, one year in county jail, a fine up to $10,000.00, or a combination of fine and imprisonment.
Gann is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 8, where he will stand before Judge Michael O'Brian Hendrickson presiding.
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