Stoddard County jury returns guilty verdict for Bloomfield man

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — A Stoddard County jury deliberated for 38 minutes following a two-day trial before reaching a guilty verdict on Tuesday, Nov. 19 for a Bloomfield man charged with child molestation.

Timothy C. Allbritton was found guilty of third-degree child molestation during a trial held Monday, Nov. 18 and Tuesday, Nov. 19 at the Stoddard County Justice Center in Bloomfield.

Stoddard County Prosecutor Sawyer Smith completed the trial for the state of Missouri. The Honorable Robert N. Mayer presided over the trial as circuit judge.

“Presenting and proving cases that involve a sex crime against a child is uniquely challenging,” Smith said.k “The victim in this case was believable and credible, consistent and detailed in the disclosures made. The jurors followed the state’s evidence and arguments and determined the defendant’s guilt to be established beyond a reasonable doubt. I thank them again for their jury service that is so important and vital to the American legal system. I am thankful for justice in this case and to the ones who assisted me in preparing it.”

Smith commended Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office Detective Garry Brady for the work done in the investigation of this case, Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney’s office SCPA staff members that were involved with this trial; Kristi Patterson, victim advocate; Justin Allen, investigator; Heather Davis, office manager, W. Rance Butler (former SAPA); and Stoddard County assistant prosecuting attorney LeAnn Ryan and Dunklin County assistant prosecuting attorney Ryan Dicus for other legal assistance provided in this matter.

“The conviction here means that defendant will be sent to the Department of Corrections for a term of years and will be required to register as a sex offender,” Smith said. “There are no winners in cases like this. My hope is just that from Justice being served, the victim will move forward with a sense of closure to the case and this community will be better protected by the outcome.”