This report was researched and written by Ethan Holder reporter for The Clinton Daily Democrat newspaper
A Bates County grand jury case charging a man with multiple
counts of rape, statutory sodomy, and sexual trafficking of a child has been
transferred to Henry County following a change of venue.
Court records show George William Lewis is charged in Bates
County with nine felony counts stemming from alleged sexual abuse of a minor
over several years. The charges were returned by a grand jury and include one
count of first-degree statutory sodomy, two counts of second-degree sexual
trafficking of a child, and six counts of first-degree rape, including an
aggravated sexual offense.
According to the indictment, the alleged offenses occurred
between 2015 and 2023 and involve a victim identified in court records as
“Victim 1,” who was a minor at the time of the alleged crimes. Prosecutors
allege Lewis engaged in sexual acts with the child when the victim was under
the age of consent and, in some instances, by forcible compulsion.
The indictment also states Lewis is considered a persistent
sexual offender under Missouri law due to a prior felony conviction for
first-degree statutory rape in Bates County in 2004. That designation exposes
him to enhanced penalties if convicted, including the possibility of life
imprisonment. Several of the charges also carry mandatory lifetime supervision,
and some require that at least 85 percent of any sentence be served before
parole eligibility.
A criminal docket entry filed last July shows Lewis was
formally arraigned in Bates County Circuit Court and entered not guilty pleas
to the charges. The record indicates Lewis waived a formal reading of the
indictment and consented to proceedings being conducted by video while he
remains in custody.
Last month, the defense requested a change of venue. Court
records indicate the request was granted, resulting in the case being
transferred out of Bates County. The case will now be handled in Henry County
Circuit Court.
The case is now set for a jury trial on Monday, March 30th,
2026. Lewis remains in custody pending trial.
This report was researched and written by Ethan Holder
reporter for The Clinton Daily Democrat newspaper
