Sikeston man is in custody for sexual contact with 12-year-old

BENTON - A Sikeston man was arrested after having sexual contact with a 12-year-old girl.

Zachary Caleb Neal, 23, is charged with first degree statutory sodomy and enticement of a child. Bond is set at $50,000.

An investigation by the Scott County Sheriff's Department revealed that Neal met the 12 -year-old victim through a social media website, according to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter.

"Sexual-related conversations via the internet eventually led to Neal meeting the victim at the victim's residence. Neal had sexual contacts with the 12-year-old-victim," Walter said in a news release.

Contact between Neal and the victim continued until a family member of the victim discovered correspondence between the two, he reported.

During an interviewed by an investigator Friday afternoon, Neal reportedly admitted to the sexual contacts.