Child rapist sentenced to prison

Friday, July 11, 2008

BENTON -- A Scott County man was sentenced on Thursday to 75 years for sex charges.

Jimmy Decker, 40, was sentenced to 75 years for statutory rape in the first degree, statutory sodomy in the first degree and incest.

He was found guilty May 16 of one count of first degree statutory rape, three counts of statutory sodomy in the first degree and one count of incest after a jury trial conducted by Scott Horman, associate circuit court judge for Division 5. Decker was originally indicted by a grand jury in November 2005. Statutory rape and sodomy in the first degree carry a range of punishment from 10 to 30 years for each offense.

According to a news release issued by Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd, the mother of the victim confronted Decker at the sentencing. She related to the court her children had been able to sleep in their own rooms since they heard the word "guilty."

The mother continued that since the abuse happened, her child had contemplated suicide, acted out violently and was required to take up to 14 pills a day to help her cope with the effects of Decker's actions. She asked the court to give Decker the maximum sentence on all counts and indicated to the court that her daughter called the jurors on the case her "12 angels."

Defense counsel requested Decker receive the minimum sentence suggested by the Missouri Department of Correction's sentence advisory report of 20 years to serve on all counts. That request came about because a Static 99 test given to Decker during the probation officer's investigation indicated he was in the low to moderate range for recidivism.

However, Assistant Prosecutor Amanda Oesch, on behalf of the state, argued the results of the Static 99 did not warrant such a sentence. Decker was a threat to re-offend based on his inability to admit his guilt, the effect his acts had on the child and his three prior felony convictions, she continued. Oesch argued that, based on his criminal history and these criminal acts, should receive the maximum sentence on three of the counts with concurrent sentences on the last two counts.

Boyd said Decker was sentenced to the maximum time. According to statutes, Decker will not be eligible for parole until 85 percent of his sentence -- 63.75 years -- or he reaches 70 with 40 percent of his sentence served prior to the DOC considering him for release on parole. Due to Decker's age, he will be eligible to be considered for parole on his 70th birthday.

"Unfortunately, his 30 or 40 years he will spend will be nothing like the life sentence the 9-year-old child will serve for what this man did to her," Boyd said.

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