Local man gets life sentences

CAPE GIRARDEAU - A Sikeston man was sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences plus two additional 15-year terms for sexually assaulting three children between 2000 and 2003.

John Merritt, 33, was found guilty by Judge Benjamin Lewis on nine counts of the original 96-count indictment after a bench trial May 12 in Cape Girardeau County, according to Department of Public Safety Director Drew Juden. Sentencing followed on June 27.

Charges on which Merritt was convicted and sentenced included statutory rape, forcible rape, statutory sodomy and involved children ranging in age from 6-13 at the time of the crimes.

The indictment, originally filed by Scott County Prosecutor Paul Boyd, was tried by Sue Borese, an attorney with the Missouri Attorney General's office who specializes in these type of cases.

Juden said his department first received information about the crimes in July 2003. An extensive investigation by the Sikeston DPS, the Scott County Juvenile Office and the Division of Family Services resulted in a search warrant and the arrest of Merritt at his Sikeston residence on July 10, 2003.

"This is the type of sentence that fits the crime," Juden said, adding that he was extremely pleased with the sentence handed down by Judge Lewis. "This is the message that needs to be sent out to those that would take advantage of children."

Juden also praised the efforts of his detectives and other agencies involved stating they probably had enough evidence after the first interview and report to arrest Merritt but kept looking at different possibilities and found additional victims which led to the extremely large indictment and, ultimately, this type of sentence.

"While you don't like to see these types of investigations, it is good to know that when you find a person like this guilty, he probably won't have access to any children again," Juden said. "These types of investigations take their toll on everyone involved and after speaking with all involved in the investigation they are extremely gratified that their work was rewarded with this type of sentence."